Contractors need more incentives to meet Government training targets

Contractors will need extra incentives to hit the Government's target of creating 7,000 new construction apprenticeships.

Skills secretary John Denham unveiled the push for more apprentices today. But ConstructionSkills is warning this will be a tough challenge in the current economic environment without added incentives for firms who provide training.

Denham wants to ensure that Government-funded building projects are used to encourage construction firms to employ more apprentices.

ConstructionSkills chief executive Mark Farrar said: “We have been talking to the Government for some time now about using public sector purchasing power to drive up apprentice training in the construction sector.

“But we have to be aware that our industry is facing hard times. Existing apprenticeship targets are being impacted due to the need to re-place redundant apprentices, so increasing the overall number of placements is a double challenge.

“We know from talking to our industry that employers of all sizes are doing what they can to survive, and we need to consider what additional incentives can be provided to SMEs and main contractors to deliver apprenticeship places.

“How can we reduce the burden for contractors who commit to placing trainees with their supply chain, and how can we support those firms that take on more than their fair share to ensure they complete the training period?

“Government must also avoid returning to lowest cost tenders during the recession as this will strongly discourage companies from making training requirements.”

ConstructionSkills also urged Government to look at its repair and maintenance spend as well as new build. Refurbishment work is much more labour intensive and primarily uses the main craft trades.

Farrar added: “We are working closely with Government through the Construction Apprenticeship Taskforce headed up by John Denham. We must ensure this group looks at how to engage with procurers across the public sector to turn potential opportunities into real training places.The National Skills Academy for Construction is providing an excellent model of how to make this work in practice.

“We are also looking at what more we can do as the lead training body for the sector to support our employers and apprentices across the UK. We have already put in place a matching service to support redundant apprentices and we are actively looking at how we can work with our employers to increase opportunities for placements.”