The Chief Executive of the BMF (Builders Merchants Federation) has welcomed the Milburn Young People and Work report, which, he says, recognises that the cost of doing business is among key factors that are closing the door to opportunity for young people.
John Newcomb, BMF CEO, said the report reflected the experience of member businesses across the building materials supply chain and reiterated calls for Government to stimulate the housebuilding market and get Britain building.
In a bid to support recruitment into the sector, last year the BMF launched Building Materials Careers – a cross-industry online hub with careers information, apprenticeship support and job vacancies from multiple employers all in one place.
However, the increasing cost of doing business in the UK has affected the number of jobs currently available in the manufacturing and distribution of building materials, more than 75 per cent of which are made in Britain.
BMF CEO John Newcomb said: “For the past 12 months we have been calling on the Government to get Britain building again and create stimulus for the housebuilding market in support of its manifesto pledge to build 1.5 million homes.
“The Milburn report points to a need for wider systemic change to support the creation of opportunities for young people and this is echoed by our members who tell us the cost of doing business is making it increasingly difficult for them to take on new staff.
“At the same time, the Home Builders Federation is reporting that regulatory costs and taxes have added £76,000 to the cost of building each new home, squeezing profit margins to the point of unviability and preventing new developments coming forward.
“Getting Britain building will stimulate a key market within the UK economy, generate jobs, improve skills, create homes and give the younger generation a chance to map out a meaningful career in our industry.”
The BMF represents 1,020 members with combined sales of £52 billion pounds and employing almost 209,000 staff.
Rachel Challinor is National Account Manager at Brett Landscaping and Building Products and entered the building materials sector five years ago.
She said: “You can do any job in this sector; people aren’t pigeon-holed and hybrid roles are common.
“My job is varied and challenging. No two days are alike. It’s not just bricks and mortar – there’s loads more to it and women are increasingly discovering that.
“I would encourage anyone, especially women, to visit the Building Materials Careers website. We need more people and we need more women.
“This wasn’t necessarily an industry I’d considered as a career, but I love it.”
Building Materials Careers followed a previous recruitment drive launched in 2023, which saw BMF member businesses commit to providing 15,000 apprenticeships by 2030.
Ja’ul Alam, a former semi-professional footballer from Milton Keynes, was named BMF Apprentice of the Year 2025 after switching careers and taking on an apprenticeship with the Independent Buying Consortium.
Ja’ul said: “I’d spent my whole life playing football, but I realised I needed to build a secure career, and the career opportunities in building materials appealed to me.
“It’s a much bigger industry than people realise, with so many different roles, and chances to grow if you’re willing to learn.
“Every week brings something new, whether it’s analysing data, managing supplier relationships, negotiating deals, or understanding how the market works.
“Leading projects and taking on real responsibility has been my biggest achievement so far. It’s rewarding to see how my work directly contributes to the business.”
More on Building Materials Careers at bmcareers.com.
