Building industry offers more apprenticeships

THE NUMBER of apprenticeships offered in the beleaguered Scottish construction industry rose slightly last year, according to new figures.

The Scottish Building Federation said even a modest rise — the numbers of placements increased by 53 to 1378 in comparison with 2010 — was a positive step for a sector which has been among the hardest hit during the economic downturn.

The construction industry in Scotland has been reeling from a series of body blows which saw 30,000 jobs lost in the year to September 2011.

Official data this month highlighted a significant increase in the number of Scottish construction firms going to the wall, with almost 200 going out of business in the 12 months to the end of March and 49 being lost in the first quarter of 2012 alone.

SBK chief executive Michael Levack — who is also the employers’ secretary for the Scottish Building Apprenticeship and Training Council (SBATC) — said the rise in placements registered with SBATC showed the trade continued to see value in encouraging new talent despite the difficulties in the sector.

Although higher than the previous year, the 2011 SBATC figure is still some way short of the 2,758 apprentices taken on in 2007 prior to the recession downturn and the slowdown in the property market.

“It is really important that we recognise the skills, talent and dedication of all of the many thousands of apprentices currently in training in Scotland,” Mr Levack said.

“It is particularly important that we recognise the vital contribution that construction employers continue to make in offering so many young people the opportunity to develop specialist skills and to pursue a rewarding career in a strategically important sector of the Scottish economy.

“Despite the ravages of the economic downturn, the apprenticeship opportunities offered by the construction sector remain crucial — particularly at a time when the country is facing record levels of youth unemployment.

“And with business failures at a record level, the proportion of employers within the construction industry engaging apprentices has held up remarkably well.

“As apprentice numbers stabilise, there’s clear evidence that construction employers are fully committed to offering new opportunities and attracting new blood into the industry. “We are ambitious about the future.” SBATC will mark Scottish Apprenticeship Week with a joint event with Constructionskills at Edinburgh Castle on May 24.

Chief executive Michael Levack.