Construction apprentices and their search for work

To mark National Apprenticeship Week, CJ in association with ConstructionSkills talk to six apprentices affected by the recession and find out why they remain committed to a career in the industry.

More than5,800 apprentices qualified last year but, as the economic climate has worsened the opportunities for new and existing recruits have suffered in relation. ConstructionSkills has set up an Apprenticeship Matching Service (AMS) to help support employers and apprentices alike during these difficult times.

Wherever possible the AMS encourages employers to retain their apprentices. To date, 105 apprentices have been retained with their existing employers and new employers have been found for a further 421.

Unfortunately, however, there remain hundreds more still out of work but are determined to complete their apprenticeship. We talk to some determined to remain in construction...

Toni Arnold

Toni Arnold, 24, is an apprentice painter and decorator doing her NVQ Level 3 at Hull College. She was made redundant recently and is now looking for new opportunities in her local area.

"I worked in offices for a few years, and realised it wasn't for me.

"I decided I wanted to do something more practicalso turned to the painting and decorating trade, something I had always had a keen interest in.

"So far I have worked for two small contractors, and have really enjoyed building up my skills in the trade. My plan is to complete my college course and in the meantimecontinue looking for more work.

"Hopefully I will find a new employer before too long.

"My college tutors and ConstructionSkills advisers have been very helpful in providing me with support and advice. Ideally, I'd like to continue doing further qualifications after I complete my course - I hope to do a BTEC in construction and eventually build up enough experience to start my own business."

Toni is an extremely motivated apprentice, nearing the end of her college course. She's applying for a new job within a local firm, where she can add value to the business and further her career in a supportive team environment.

Samuel Wade

Samuel Wade, 17, is about to complete his NVQ Level 2 in carpentry and bench joinery at Kings Lynn College in Norfolk. He was made redundant from his job at a firm in Fakenham, Norfolk, and is searching for a new employer in the local area so that he can complete his apprenticeship.

"At school I had always really enjoyed woodwork, so pursuing a career in carpentry seemed like the perfect plan.

"I really enjoyed my job, and am continuing to do very well on my college course, so I'm determined to look for more work within the industry.

"It did come as a shock when they had to let me go, but unfortunately I know quite a few apprentices in the same situation as me, and employers are reluctant to take on an apprentice at the current time."

With the help of his college tutors, Samuel is applying for other jobs. He is very ambitious, and would like to undergo an HNC/HND upon completion of his NVQ Level 3.

He is looking for an employer who will support his development and provide good training, and hopes to manage a team of people one day.

Allan Lamb

Allan Lamb is coming to the end of his NVQ Level 2 at Wirral Metropolitan College in carpentry and bench joinery. He was recently made redundant and has since been looking for another job in his local area.

"I have always really enjoyed working with my hands, and so carpentry seemed like the ideal profession for me to go into. I then pursued a job as an apprentice in the trade, and have now built up a good deal of experience, which has been complemented by my college course.

"I'm hoping to go on toNVQ Level 3, although my priority is finding a new employer to take me on, and help me build on my career. One day I would like to have built up enough experience and skills to run my own business."

Allan is looking for a carpentry firm in The Wirral area to take him on, and put his skills to good use. He has 18 months experience in the trade, and would be a valuable asset to any business.

Leon Young

Leon Young, 18, is about to complete his NVQ Level 3 in Bench Joinery. He lives in Wainfleet, near Skegness, and attends the College of West Anglia. He was made redundant in December last year, and has since been looking around for another job in his local area.

"My dad and grandad were both in the carpentry trade, so I developed an interest in it at an early age. I then continued to enjoy it at school, and it seemed like the natural area of work for me to go in to. I've got a lot out of my on-the-job training so far, and I'm almost at the end of my college course, so very soon I'll be qualified.

"I've been approaching local firms for work, but very few are recruiting anyone at the moment, so getting a job as an apprentice seems to be extremely tough."

Leon is looking for an employer who will see him as an asset to their firm, and allow him to build on the experience and skills he has gained so far. He hopes one day to run his own business.

Eddie Sweet

Eddie Sweet, 18, a third-year apprentice bricklayer with Barratts, studying at Sunderland College, was made redundant in September last year and is always looking for new opportunities so he can return to his course and finish his apprenticeship.

"I got the job through Connexions. I took in my CV and they sorted out an interview for me. I knew I wanted an outdoor job and I liked the fact that I could do something like this and make some good money. I enjoyed everything about the course - learning on the job andat college. I made some good friends too."

Being made redundant has not been easy for Eddie, especially with a 17-month-old daughterto support. But it has not dented his ambition, and he is keen to return to bricklaying and complete his apprenticeship.

"I was absolutely gutted when I found out I'd been made redundant, especially because of my daughter at home. I really wanted to get into the management side of it and take on the role of a construction manager. It's really difficult to think that I can't do something Ienjoybecause no one is taking anybody on at the moment if I had the chance I would get back into it straight away, without a doubt."

Hannah Smith

Hannah Smith, 19, is an apprentice doing wall and floor tiling at South Birmingham College. Hannah is on a Programme Led Apprenticeshipthrough ConstructionSkills at NVQ Level 2, meaning she's been studying full time and is now ready to further her skills through full-time work within a firm, where she will be able to gain an NVQ Level 3.

"I did actually get a job with a firm in my local area, but I was made redundant just before Christmas. I've since been looking around for more work, but it seems no-one is taking on apprentices at current- it's a really tough timefor everybody."

"I always enjoyed working with my hands when I was younger and throughout school, so I really liked the idea of wall and floor tiling when my college suggested it. So far I have loved the trade, and I'm really keen to work as soon as possible so I can build up my skills and put everything I have learned so far into practice."

On top of applying to a number of large firms in her area in the hope that they have places available, Hannah has been using her free time to market herself as much as possible to customers in her local area though leafleting and word of mouth. The ConstructionSkills Apprenticeship Matching service is also supporting her hunt. Her ambition is to start her own business one day and train people up to join her.