This morning it was announced that ministers have pledged to “back the next generation” by investing in tens of thousands of new apprenticeships and training routes for construction workers, engineers and other trades in England.
Damian Walters, the CEO of the British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation has praised this move, saying “it feels like momentum is building and that the much-needed focus and investment in construction careers for young people is closer than it has been for some time”.
He added: “We have worked tirelessly over many years to raise awareness of the skills shortage and to promote apprenticeships as a solution to the ever-growing problem. We fully support this move – it is very much a step in the right direction and, if executed alongside changes to support micro-SME’s to take on an apprentice, it will make a tangible difference to the fitted interiors sector, which offers many opportunities for young people to learn a trade and earn a wage”.
Under the new plans, Sir Keir Starmer’s training hike will include a budget of more than £3bn in this financial year and an extra 30,000 apprenticeships in the next four years.
“For a long time there has been a lot of talk about the problem and little action to create a solution” continued Walters, “but it does feel like there is now a real shift in focus, and there is still time to fix the problem but we must act now to build a sustainable future of our industry and thousands of young people across the UK.”
EDUCATION | STANDARDS | SUSTAINABILITY | COMPLIANCE |
