According to new research a third of construction firms are put off taking on apprentices because of the red tape involved…
Apprentices are the lifeblood of the construction sector, bringing new workers into the industry while ensuring the necessary skills are developed. They will also form a major component of getting the nation building and delivering the government’s infrastructure plans.
There is no secret the nation is in the throes of a skills shortage. For months the sector has been warning the government the numbers of skilled workers needed to complete major projects in the pipeline are simply not there.
However, plans to create three million new apprenticeship places could be at risk from the industry itself. The Federation of Masterbuilders has published a new report revealing a third of small construction firms are reluctant to take on apprentices due to the amount of red tape involved.
The report, ‘Defusing the skills time bomb’, found the top five barriers to employers training apprentices included the complexity and bureaucracy of the process; the cost of training and employing an apprentice; the uncertainty of future workloads; concerns about retaining apprentices once training is completed; and the quality of candidates available.
Recommendations in the report included improving funding for older apprentices, encouraging apprentices through public procurement, and channelling the apprenticeship levy through the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).
Chief Executive of the FMB Brian Berry said: “The construction industry is in the midst of a skills crisis which can only be solved if more employers take on apprentices.
“The Government wants to deliver three million apprentices over the next five years and this new report sheds some light on how this can be achieved.
“Our research shows that 94 per cent of small construction firms want to train apprentices but a third are being turned off by a number of serious “fear factors”.
“These include the cost of employing and training an apprentice and major concerns regarding the complexity of the process.
“There is strong evidence to show that small construction firms need better information and that if they were more aware of the support that’s available, a great number would train apprentices.
“Just under 80 per cent of non-recruiters are not aware of one of the most important apprenticeship grants available to them and just over 75 per cent say knowledge of financial support would make them more likely to take on apprentices.”
SMEs play a major role in training apprentices, with two third coming through their doors. Ensuring these firms are able to easily take on apprentices is imperative if the sector is to attempt to meet the demand for skilled workers.
Berry said: “…it is critical that the Government does everything in its power to remove any barriers that might be stopping these companies from training.
“Looking ahead, the Government’s new apprenticeship voucher could be a disaster for small firms unless it is properly road tested and made as simple and easy-to-use as possible.
“We’re also calling on the Government to protect our industry training board which is at risk from the new Apprenticeship Levy.
“The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) needs reform admittedly but without it the very smallest firms would be left with less financial and practical support for apprenticeship training – remove this lifeline and you risk worsening the skills crisis.”