Industry Welcomes Apprentices

Recently the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson announced extra funding in a bid to tackle the problem and with the release of this years’ A level results for England and Wales, the CITB has called on school leavers to consider a career in the industry.

Steve Radley, policy and strategic planning director at CITB, said: “A construction apprenticeship is a great way into an exciting and rewarding career. With recent research suggesting 200,000 new jobs over the next five years, it couldn’t be a better time to get into the industry. As a construction apprentice your training is paid for, you are paid a wage and, once qualified, the jobs market is good. You also have a broad range of options, including going into higher education at a later stage.”

Although Mr Johnson’s scheme is centred in London-based apprenticeships, the call is UK-wide for the next generation of construction industry workers. Skills are in low supply in specialist areas and there is a current demand that is already placing stress on contractors to fulfil an estimated 1,800 skilled worker placements every year from now until 2019.

Mr Radley continued, “Construction in the 21st century requires a diverse range of technical, design and management skills. An apprenticeship in the industry is a high-quality vocational route that opens the door to a wide range of career opportunities, including architect, surveyor, civil engineer and structural engineer.”

The CITB says that a new approach to training and skills provision aims to improve employers’ capabilities and capacity to respond to new business opportunities, as well as improve productivity and working practices across London’s construction businesses. It is hoped that the scheme will roll out in other key areas across the UK if proven to be successful.

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