New project to help apprentices in construction industry

Barnfield Construction and Constructing the Future Lancashire held a briefing for local construction employers on an innovative new project to help young people complete their apprenticeship.

There are real concerns within the construction sector that, as a result of the downturn, employers are finding it harder to guarantee employment which will provide a young apprentice with the necessary experience for them to complete their full apprenticeship.

Constructing the Future Lancashire has been developed with Construction Skills, Lancashire Housing Partnership, Regenerate Pennine Lancashire and supported by funding from the European Social Fund and the Skills Funding Agency, in which the apprentices are employed by Constructing the Future Lancashire and placed with local employers for a minimal cost of only £60 a week.

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Mr Stuart Graham, from Constructing the Future Lancashire, said: “Constructing the Future Lancashire is one of only three pilots in the UK, and is a direct response to the challenges facing the construction sector. Local employers are finding it increasingly difficult to guarantee employment yet still value the need to have highly qualified apprentices, this model allows for employers to still be engaged with developing young apprentices but without the huge commitment or costs.”

Already, many large construction companies have committed their support to the initiative and Barnfield hosted the event for its key partners

Mr Gareth Smith, from Barnfield, said: “We are very happy to be associated with this forward-thinking apprenticeship programme. As one of the largest contractors and developers in the North West, we are passionate about training and supporting newly-qualified trades people. We see this programme as a long-term solution to a problem that has blighted the industry for many years, which has only been highlighted by the recent economic down turn.”