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Apprenticeships Essential to Growth of Construction Sector

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Apprenticeships Essential to Growth of Construction Sector

The experts at The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) are predicting a growth in the construction industry that will see housebuilding return to pre-recession levels by 2020. In order for this growth to be sustained, they anticipate the sector will need to recruit an additional 230,000 workers over the next four years, in order to meet the skills gap.

The latest Construction Skills Network report states that the growth in the industry will come primarily from the private housing sector, but there are other plans in place throughout the country, such as the planned development of the Crossrail and High Speed 2 rail projects as well as two large nuclear power stations at Wylfa and Hinkley.

Apprenticeships on the Rise

CITB Policy Director, Steve Radley has stated that training will be a vital aspect in delivering this growth, especially the training of apprentices.

“We can’t build the Britain we want without growing apprenticeships – and the careers they lead onto. That’s why it is vital that these new statistics, showing solid, sustained growth, inspire more people to join the construction industry.”

He also wants to ensure construction companies are upskilling their less experienced workers, and  encourage construction workers who left the industry during the recession to return.

It’s estimated that around 300,000 construction workers lost their jobs between 2008 and 2010, and it’s these ex-workers that Radley believes could boost the industry, but they will require extensive re-training to contribute effectively to meeting the skills gap.

Work Experience

The CITB are also working alongside the National charity Fair Train and CCATF to encourage construction companies to offer apprenticeship and work experience placements to young people hoping to get a foot in the door in the construction industry.

The placements will need to be structured to increase not only the employability of young people, but to ensure they are gaining the skills and experience that suit employers’ requirements.

Having a candidate with work experience is highly valued by potential employers, and so these placements and apprenticeships will be of significant benefit to both young people and future employers, supporting the continued the growth of the industry.

Rebalancing of Growth

Traditionally, and especially over the last few years, the construction industry has been most successful in the South, but with the new growth expected across the country, this is set to change.

CITB expect that Wales will see the biggest growth, 7.1%, and the North East industry will grow by 2.6%, while London is set to see a rise of just 3.5%.

This will help to rebalance the growth across the country, according to CITB Head of Research Gillian Econopouly. Econopouly cited the nuclear development at Wylfa, as well as a biomass plant planned for Anglesey, a tidal lagoon in Swansea and big road projects planned around the M4 and Newport, alongside the substantial housebuilding programmes across Wales, as evidence that previously under-utilised areas in terms of construction are due a boost.
For more information on the commercial benefits of an apprenticeship in the North East, or to find out how to train and upskill your existing employees, contact the team at Health and Safety Training Ltd.

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