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Alert over shortage of skills in building
YORKSHIRE'S construction industry could be hit by a shortage of skilled workers in the future because a generation of apprentices are under threat due to the recession.
Incentives such as giving firms priority for public contracts if they keep on apprentices are being introduced. ConstructionSkills, the Government-backed body responsible for ensuring enough young people are being trained to meet the industry's future needs, says almost 200 apprentices have been "displaced" in the region because of the recession.
The organisation is stepping in with help for firms to ensure the next generation of skilled joiners, bricklayers and other craft workers completes their training.
The first and largest measure is an expanded Apprenticeship Matching Service (AMS), which finds new work placements for apprentices who cannot continue training with their original employer. The AMS was established late last year. Its work is being widened.
The scheme offers a range of support services to help businesses in the region retain their apprentices through the downturn, including mentoring for apprentices, advice for employers about other business support, and help with paperwork.
The AMS says it has over 195 "at risk" trainees on its books. Fifty-six have been helped to find new employment, but 76 businesses need to be found to take on others. Apprentices in carpentry, joinery and bricklaying are most affected in terms of displaced apprentices, with craft masons being the least affected trade in Yorkshire and the Humber, aid AMS.
Russell Buckley, apprenticeship manager for ConstructionSkills in the region, said: "The severity of the economic downturn means that the construction industry faces many challenges this year, and continuing the development of the next generation of workers is at the forefront of these.
"Increasingly more apprentices are becoming 'at risk' of being laid off, and to stem this tide we need more employers, who have the capacity to offer training opportunities to these young people.
Downturn
"If this doesn't happen, then the UK's construction sector risks seeing the continuation of skills shortages that have plagued the industry since the last recession, caused by laying off experienced workers and reducing the number of new recruits."
Other initiatives include ways of supporting employers in recruiting new apprentices such as giving firms priority for public contracts.
Mr Buckley said: "In many ways apprentices are the lifeblood of the construction industry. ConstructionSkills is committed to maintaining appropriate training levels in the construction sector to retain the skills we need now, avoid future shortages and invest in the skills the industry will need in the future."
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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