London construction firms told to boost apprenticeships

Firms working on Crossrail and the Olympics will be told to boost apprenticeships in London where first-time trade jobs are at their lowest.

The government wants one in five young people to be apprentices within the next decade and has announced an Apprenticeship Taskforce to persude employers to offer starter jobs.

Headed by skills minister David Lammy and comprising employers, local government representatives, college principals and training providers, the taskforce will target public sector employers and small and medium businesses.

Mr Lammy said: “There aren’t enough apprenticeships available in London – and London’s people, young and old, deserve better.

“We need to meet the demand for skills in London that really should be met by Londoners.

“Sectors like construction and retail are crying out for high quality staff, so there is no excuse for not exploiting the apprenticeships route to meeting skills needs.”

Only 11,900 apprenticeships were filled in London in 2006/07, compared to in the north west where apprenticeships were at their highest at 32,210.