NEWCASTLE North MP Catherine McKinnell is gaining support for her Apprenticeships and Skills (Public Procurement Contracts) Bill, which recently had its second reading.

The Bill could force big firms to take on more apprentices, by making training a compulsory part of public-sector construction.

Smaller companies complain that larger competitors are not doing their fair share of training. Ms McKinnell’s Bill is well-placed to ensure a more even spread of training responsibilities.

While some larger companies do have a commitment to training, it won’t hurt to put this type of stipulation into large public-sector tender requirements.

One of the concerns from smaller companies is that they take on the burden of training, only for the talent, when qualified, to move on to work for one of the big boys.

The argument is that while it is wrong to suggest any reduction in the freedom of movement in the market, the larger companies should grow their own workforce through training apprentices.

Among those supporting the Bill is arguably the best-known employer of apprentices, Lord Sugar, though I am sure Ms McKinnell – herself something of an apprentice, in her first year as an MP – is looking for large firms to employ more than one trainee a year.

The UK Contractors Group argues that its members employ roughly one-third of construction apprentices and disputes any passing of the buck from larger employers, but director Stephen Ratcliffe nevertheless welcomes the measure.

The Apprenticeships and Skills (Public Procurement Contracts) Bill mixes a fairer playing field” – whether the current imbalance is real or perceived – with a greater commitment to skills across the industry, and this should be welcomed and supported.

For information on Constructing Excellence in the North East, contact Catriona Lingwood on 0191 374 0233 or catriona@cene.org.uk.

The Journal is heading up the 500 Apprentices in 100 Days campaign in association with the National Apprenticeship Service, supported by the North East Chamber of Commerce.

The campaign has broken its previous target of helping to create 100 apprentices in 100 days, with the total now standing at 214.

Catriona Lingwood is chief executive of Constructing Excellence in the North East