ConstructionSkills welcomes Government apprentice drive but warns employers need incentives too

The Government’s drive to create 7,000 new construction apprenticeships through procurement of new construction work over the next three years was welcomed today by ConstructionSkills. But the Sector Skills Council for the industry also warned that this could be a tough challenge in today’s economic environment without some added incentives to firms who provide this training.

Skills Secretary John Denham highlighted plans to ensure that Government-funded building projects are used to encourage construction firms to employ more apprentices. The plan is boosted by the recent decision to bring forward capital spending to help the economy recover from the downturn. This year alone, Government Departments and their Agencies will spend more than £7 billion on construction projects including schools, colleges, hospitals and roads.

By requiring successful contractors to have apprentices work on the project, it is thought that such a move could help deliver upwards of 7,000 apprenticeships in the next three years.

Mark Farrar, Chief Executive, said: “We have been talking to the Government for some time now about using public sector purchasing power to drive up apprentice training in the construction sector. But we have to be aware that our industry is facing hard times. Existing apprenticeship targets are being impacted due to the need to re-place redundant apprentices, so increasing the overall number of placements is a double challenge.

“We know from talking to our industry that employers of all sizes are doing what they can to survive, and we need to consider what additional incentives can be provided to SMEs and main contractors to deliver apprenticeship places. How can we reduce the burden for contractors who commit to placing trainees with their supply chain, and how can we support those firms that take on more than their fair share to ensure they complete the training period?”

“Government must also avoid returning to lowest cost tenders during the recession as this will strongly discourage companies from making training requirements.”

ConstructionSkills also urged Government to look at its repair and maintenance spend as well as new build. Work in this sector is much more labour intensive and primarily uses the main craft trades (painting and decorating, joinery, carpentry etc), which results in greater opportunities for apprentice training and more potential for placing multiple trainees on each project.

Mark Farrar added: “We are working closely with Government through the Construction Apprenticeship Taskforce headed up by John Denham. We must ensure this group looks at how to engage with procurers across the public sector to turn potential opportunities into real training places.The National Skills Academy for Construction is providing an excellent model of how to make this work in practice.

“We are also looking at what more we can do as the lead training body for the sector to support our employers and apprentices across the UK. We have already put in place a matching service to support redundant apprentices and we are actively looking at how we can work with our employers to increase opportunities for placements.”

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For media information call Andrew Mabey on 0300 456 5407 or email andrew.mabey@cskills.org

Notes to Editors

About ConstructionSkills

ConstructionSkills is the Sector Skills Council working to deliver a safe, professional and fully qualified construction workforce. ConstructionSkills, CIC and CITB Northern Ireland work in partnership as the Sector Skills Council for construction.  ConstructionSkills is tasked by the Government to implement UK-wide Sectors Skills Agreements between the bodies responsible for delivering training in the UK and those that demand it. ConstructionSkills provides assistance in all aspects of training, recruiting and qualifying the construction workforce.  We also work with partners in industry and the Government to improve the competitiveness of the industry. For more information visit www.cskills.org

About ConstructionSkills’ Apprenticeships

ConstructionSkills Apprenticeships operates through a network of regional offices and offers extensive training opportunities in close co-operation with employers. All off-the-job training for S/NVQs and key skills is subcontracted to colleges of further education and commercial training centres. All learners are employed and working towards S/NVQs within nationally agreed frameworks for their trades. ConstructionSkills Apprenticeships also provides benefits such as payment of college fees and apprentice travel and accommodation, as well as apprenticeship Grant.