The CITB has welcomed the government’s pro-active response in attracting more apprentices to the workplace.
Chief Executive of CITB-ConstructionSkills, Mark Farrar said: “We are delighted that the government shares our view that creating a pipeline of new talent into business is key to economic recovery and growth. Of course this requires new projects to be available for the construction industry to access, to ensure the employment opportunities exist for prospective apprentices.
“The government’s plea to take on more apprentices comes at a crucial time for the construction industry. With one in six workers in the construction and built environment industry due to retire in the next decade, we are facing a retirement time bomb.
“The challenge faced – as outlined in our labour market intelligence, the Construction Skills Network – is to bring 200,000 entrants into the construction sector by 2015 to meet predicted skills needs.
“Although CITB-ConstructionSkills grant supported new starts are up on last year, apprenticeship starts across construction and the built environment in the UK have declined overall. It is therefore imperative that measures are taken now to ensure we have the right skills for future growth, both nationally and locally.
“We are looking to address this with a range of initiatives including Shared Apprenticeship Schemes for SMEs, Green Deal Apprenticeships, programmes supported by National Skills Academies for Construction and ‘Client-Based Approach’ guidance to encourage more apprenticeships through public procurement.
“We are supporting the industry in addressing its recruitment challenge and campaigning to encourage new blood into the industry.”
Mr Farrar was speaking in response to Prime Minister David Cameron’s recent remarks when he said the government had provided extra funding and support to enable employers to provide apprenticeship places, but firms had not increased numbers in return.
He said: “When a balanced economy needs workers with skills, we need to end the old snobbery about vocational education and training. We’ve provided funding for 250,000 extra apprenticeships – but not enough big companies are delivering. So here’s a direct appeal if you want skilled employees, we’ll provide the funding, and we’ll cut the red tape. But you’ve got to show more leadership and give us the apprenticeships we need.”