To mark National Apprenticeship Week, UK construction leaders have called for a unified push from employers to boost apprenticeships and help young people into work following the impact of the COVID crisis.
The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has asked infrastructure businesses, which were already suffering from a skills shortage even before the pandemic, to promote their current and forthcoming apprenticeship opportunities.
The move conincides with the 14th annual National Apprenticeship Week from 8 to 14 February 2021.
The CLC encouraged employers in England to post their new apprenticeship offers on the UK Government’s National Apprenticeship Service, while firms in Scotland can use Apprenticeships.Scot, and Welsh firms can use the Welsh Government’s Find an Apprenticeship site.
Northern Ireland also has a section of the devolved Government's website dedicated to helping people fin apprenticeships.
CLC Skills workstream co-chair Sarah Beale said: 'The last year has been an uncertain time for everyone but hits particularly hard for those entering the job market for the first time. Many sectors are not recruiting as they look to reduce employment as a response to the pandemic.
'The construction sector is one part of the economy that has, in part, been able to continue trading. We know that with big targets for housebuilding and infrastructure construction, we will soon need more people than we have. As such, there is a positive case for promoting careers in the construction sector.
'We want to make joining construction as easy as possible. To help we are asking all employers to advertise any planned apprenticeships via the key Government platforms. This will mean that anyone looking for an apprentice will quickly be able to find an opportunity in construction.'
Fellow CLC Skills workstream co-chair and Mace chief executive, Mark Reynolds, said: 'Where businesses are recruiting there is a moral responsibility to try to help those who are struggling to find work. We have a real opportunity to help people across the UK, while securing the future for our sector. I would strongly encourage everyone to support this by advertising their apprenticeship roles.'
The CLC’s Apprenticeship Challenge forms part of the Council’s wider skills plan, which is due for publication next month.
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