Firms fear taking on trainees

May 2 2008 by Chris Knox, The Journal

CONSTRUCTION firms in the North East are ignoring the need to take on apprentices and losing up to £153,000 of support as a result.

Industry body ConstructionSkills says too few businesses are taking advantage of its Programme Led Apprentice scheme and that it has 50 apprentices on its books who are having difficulty finding work.

The scheme offers up to £3,000 towards training each apprentice and allows young people to follow a full-time construction course at college before completing practical training in a continuous placement of up to 12 months with an employer.

The aim is to encourage employers to invest in trainees to close the skills gap, a major concern to the industry.

A recent report by the Federation of Master Builders showed 67% of North East builders were finding it difficult to employ people, the second-highest figure in the UK.

Director at Newcastle’s Surgo Construction Jeff Alexander said: “There are a number of reasons why firms are shying away from apprentices.

“One is that many of them are feeling the pinch from a downturn in the market and don’t have the cash to pay for much of the training costs.

“Many local firms are also scared of training up apprentices, only for them to leave for one of the national companies.”

ConstructionSkills says the region needs 3,000 new builders a year.