Oaklands Partners with Home Builders Federation to Boost Job-Ready Skills

Oaklands is proud to be partnering with the Home Builders Federation (HBF) as part of the Partner a College programme, a two-year national pilot funded by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).

The programme is designed to strengthen collaboration between the home building industry and further education colleges across the UK, ensuring that students graduate with the practical, job-ready skills employers are looking for. With the sector requiring an additional 239,000 workers over the next five years to meet housing targets, the initiative plays a vital role in addressing the skills shortage.

As a partner, Oaklands will work closely with the HBF and local employers to help shape course content, support classroom learning, deliver industry-led workshops, and host site visits and work placements. Students will also benefit from mentorship opportunities, gaining valuable industry insights and real-world experience.

The programme brings together 10 colleges and a wide range of home builders and suppliers, including Barratt, Redrow, Keepmoat, Anwyl Homes, The Hill Group, Davidson Homes, Taylor Wimpey, Ibstock, and The Tara Group. By embedding industry standards within teaching and training, the programme ensures a smoother transition for students from education into employment.

This national initiative is further strengthened at Oaklands by the recent opening of our brand new Construction Centre. Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, the centre replicates real working environments and provides students with hands-on experience that complements their classroom learning. The centre is central to our commitment to preparing learners for successful careers in construction and ensuring the workforce of tomorrow is ready to meet industry demand.

Through this partnership and our new facilities, Oaklands is helping to shape the future of the home building sector while giving students the best possible start to their careers.