Employers step up to offer apprenticeships

Employers have stepped forward in record numbers to offer apprenticeships to young people, according to figures released by CITB-ConstructionSkills.

The training and skills body said it saw a 47% increase in firms signing up to offer apprenticeships during National Apprenticeship Week.

Sixty five new employers signed up to offer apprenticeships, taking the total number of employers involved in the initiative to 207.

The apprenticeships drive has created 70 vacancies so far, for which there have been over 360 applications.

Mark Farrar, chief executive of CITB-ConstructionSkills, said: “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.”

During National Apprenticeship Week the CITB put on employer breakfast meetings, construction challenges, careers events, and one-to-ones with staff, bringing over 600 young people face-to-face with employers.

The events were organized as part of the CITB-ConstructionSkills’ Positive Image campaign.