Construction strategy calls for 230,000 new workers by 2010

The construction industry has been told it must recruit 230,000 new workers by 2010 and train 13,5000 apprentices to meet new government targets.

Outlined in the Strategy for Sustainable Construction released today, targets also include a reduction in workplace deaths by 10% year-on-year and a 50% reduction in waste going to landfill.

The industry will also have to responsibly source 25% of materials by 2012 and ensure all projects over £1m have biodiversity surveys by 2012.

Business minister Shriti Vadera said the targets aimed to improve the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of the industry.

As part of the strategy, government departments have signed “Construction Commitments” developed by the Strategic Forum for Construction that specify best practice on procurement and whole life costing.

Strategic Forum chairman Mike Davis said he hoped all construction companies would put their name to the commitments, which include four-year targets to ensure their delivery.

The UK Green Building Council (UK-GBC) welcomed the strategy but warned it represented only the tip of the iceberg.

UK-GBC chief executive Paul King said: “We need to see a ramping up of ambition, within government and across the industry if we’re to achieve the carbon reductions and responsible use of resources necessary to play our part in stopping run-away climate change.

“The built environment needs to be at the heart of our efforts to slash emissions – not by 60%, the government target the strategy endorses, but by 80% by 2050.”