Contractors can sign up with schools and colleges to provide teaching, work experience and site visits as part of the new Construction and Built Environment Diplomas which will be available to 14-19-year-olds from September 2008 and which could replace GCSEs and A levels.

Firms including Wates, Balfour Beatty, Lovell, G&J Seddon, CB&I, Kier Group and Bovis Lend Lease have already committed. www.cbediploma.co.uk