Tony Mells (letters, CM June) sensibly suggests that a return to the traditional apprenticeship would help with our current skills shortage and he correctly identifies that colleges can only provide part of the training and that employers should be involved in providing a comprehensive apprenticeship.

Many employers I meet are shocked that apprenticeships in construction have never left us. Every year 10,000 young people join the Construction Apprenticeship Scheme. Employers that train are well aware of the opportunities while far too many are not aware of how they can be involved. The government funds this programme and in-scope companies, large and small, receive a grant from ConstructionSkills (CITB) towards training.

City and Guilds, along with ConstructionSkills, have a range of National Vocational Qualifications where training with employers, as well as in college, is not just an aspiration but a mandatory part of the qualification.

The apprenticeship also includes a technical certificate and key skills that gives a much more rounded apprenticeship than anything that has gone before. Completing students also receive the CSCS card.

It was also good to read Nick Gooderson’s letter in the same issue explaining the new diploma system that will, in my opinion, have a massive impact on those aged from 14 upwards considering a career in our industry.

We need to get this message out about construction apprenticeships and future diplomas and I would encourage employers to contact their local college or training provider. We need your help to ensure the next generation of craft and technical people get the benefit of the best training we can offer, backed by real industry experience.

Source

Construction Manager

Postscript

Steve Allen FCIOB