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News Release from: Federation of Master Builders (FMB) | Subject: Government support for apprentices
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 07 November 2007
Government support for apprentices
Government support for apprentices is a step in the right direction, says Federation of Master Builders.
At long last the Government is beginning to listen to the construction sector and waking up to the fact that Britain is in desperate need of more skilled labour, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) in response to yesterday's announcement from the Prime Minister to overhaul apprenticeships and provide financial backing for every child who aspires to an advanced apprenticeship Brian Berry, Director of External Affairs at the FMB says, "It is an important step in the right direction but one that will need to be developed further if we are to plug the serious skills shortages in Britain today"
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 27 Jun 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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""We have been calling for an increase in the support for apprenticeships for many years; finally the Government has listened to us.
With construction labour shortages at their highest level since 2005 and nearly half of FMB members reporting difficulties in finding skilled labour the Prime Minister's announcement has not come a moment too soon".
Berry continued, "While we welcome the Government's announcement to issue "credits" of GBP3,000 to those undergoing advanced apprenticeships at the age of 18 or 19, we are concerned that the Government is seemingly ignoring those who leave school at 16 or mature people wishing to enter the construction industry.
Nor do we believe that the current grants available go far enough in meeting the full costs of training an apprentice, which is nearly GBP12,000 for an employer in the first year alone.
This high cost and the lack of realistic government support is partly responsible for the fact that 6,500 apprentices are currently without work today.
"With this in mind it would be far better for the Government to target it's funding at those undergoing foundation courses in construction at further education colleges".
"Currently these people leave college after a 12-month course without the proper qualifications, as they have been unable to undergo any onsite training".
"If the Government were to finance three months on-site training as part of their foundation course this would go a long way in reducing the construction skills shortage and would be much more affordable.".
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