CITB-ConstructionSkills events drive 47% increase in take-up of apprenticeships
Sixty-five more savvy employers have signed up to get their hands on the UK’s best young talent following a series of events run as part of the CITB-ConstructionSkills’ Positive Image campaign.
With over 200 employers now committed to offering apprenticeships in areas ranging from carpentry to craft masonry, CITB-ConstructionSkills, the Sector Skills Council and Industry Training Board for the construction industry, is calling on companies to follow suit and invest in the skills today that will drive future growth and ward off the potential retirement time bomb being faced by the sector.
CITB-ConstructionSkills ran a programme of employer breakfast meetings, construction challenges, careers events, and one-to-ones with its staff and staff from the National Construction College (NCC) as part of National Apprenticeship Week (NAW). The events brought employers face-to-face with over 600 young people interested in the sector.
Well over a quarter of the employers who attended an event have committed to take on apprenticeships, creating an initial 70 vacancies, for which there have already been 360 applications – giving employers the opportunity to pick the best candidates and take advantage of the wealth of young people the Positive Image campaign has attracted to the sector.
Martyn Price, from CMC Ltd, one of the employers attending the event, said:
“I am delighted to be associated with National Apprenticeship Week to support the benefits that apprentices can bring to any business. The pledge demonstrates our ongoing commitment which in turn we anticipate will continue to benefit our business for many future years.
The Positive Image campaign’s drive to recruit the brightest and best talent is really paying off”.
Tony Wren, Managing Director of Innovation On-Site Limited, said:
“Innovation On-Site wholeheartedly supports National Apprentice Week. The training and development of our workforce is paramount to the foundations of our company. By encouraging our apprentices to grow we develop and retain a high calibre workforce which underpins our longevity.”
Mark Farrar, Chief Executive, CITB-ConstructionSkills, said:
“These events helped show employers the wealth of keen young people who are eager to work in the construction sector. We were delighted to see so many firms sign up to offer apprenticeships. However, there is an opportunity for many more employers to get involved and leave a lasting legacy for the construction industry. It’s only by investing in the workforce of tomorrow that we will survive.”
The events were organised by CITB-ConstructionSkills as part of its Positive Image campaign, which works with employers and federations to attract enthusiastic new recruits to construction to help deliver the right skills both locally and nationally. CITB-ConstructionSkills is committed to working on behalf of the industry to bring in new blood into our sector.
