ConstructionSkills announces £133m funding deal

ConstructionSkills will have £133m to spend on bringing new recruits into the industry over the next three years following a deal with the government.

Skills Secretary John Denham announced the deal between ConstructionSkills, the Learning and Skills Council and the Department for Innovation Universities and Skills this morning.

The cash will go towards ConstructionSkills target to bring 500,000 new recruits to the industry over the next five years.

The money will also be used to create:

• 6,500 apprenticeships starts
• 2,000 specialist apprenticeship starts
• 50,000 plant operatives qualified at full NVQ level 2

It will also pay for the Construction Bursary Scheme, which will provide bursaries of up to £1,200 to support apprenticeships candidates to work on site for up to 12 weeks before starting employment.

Mark Farrar, ConstructionSkills corporate services director, said: “This is a great opportunity for us to build on the success we have had in working with the construction industry to meet its skills needs."

Denham said: “The government values the immense contribution the construction industry makes to our national life, and is committed to working closely with the sector to help it attract, train and retain quality staff.

"This compact will ensure that employers will have access to flexible, world-class training tailored to the specific needs of their business, delivered when and where they need it.”