‘It’s vital that employers have clearer pathways to engage in skills and training’

Tim Balcon, Chief Executive of the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), responding to this week’s Budget:

“The announcement of the money for the Youth Guarantee and funding to make apprenticeship training for people under-25 free for small and medium enterprises at the Budget is welcome news, particularly considering recent Government figures show there are nearly a million young people not in employment, education, or training.

“We need to get more people into construction – our research shows the UK will need over 47,000 additional workers in the industry every year to meet demand. It’s vital that employers have simpler and clearer pathways to engage in skills and training.

“This would be an excellent way to build on the Government’s £600 million construction skills package announced earlier this year, which aims to help young people transition into regular employment. Nonetheless, we need to ensure construction growth is stimulated and that we have clear pipelines of work, so that employers have the confidence to invest in skills.

“By investing in skills, creating clear career pathways, and promoting the incredible opportunities construction offers, we can build a workforce ready for the future.”