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Apprentice boost vital to avert UK skills disaster

Friday 5th February 2010

By Mike Jones

Chronic skills shortages will spell disaster for the UK's construction and engineering sectors unless the Government accelerates young people's training, Unite union assistant general secretary Les Bayliss warned during National Apprenticeship Week.

Although overall apprentice numbers rose last year, there has been a marked drop in recruitment numbers in construction and engineering which now has the oldest workforce since the Second World War when most young people were mobilised.

Bayliss, said: "Overall apprenticeships may be growing, but in the construction and engineering sectors numbers fell dramatically during the downturn.

"Therefore in National Apprenticeship Week, we are encouraged by Government plans to step up financial and logistical support, as well as exploring new ways of supporting employers in these difficult times. This includes the future jobs fund, and the £1billion windfall on bankers bonuses which is being earmarked for jobs, training and apprenticeships for young people through the Government’s ‘Backing Young Britain’ campaign.

"Unite and the industry have been calling for such support and will work with Government for the future success of the UK construction industry. However, this support needs to be up and running as a matter of urgency, as a boost in apprenticeships is vital to avert a UK skills disaster and the future prospects of our nation’s young people."

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Recruitment Today

End of beginning as downturn slows slightly
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