Builders' liability insurance news: more apprentices needed, says union

Builders' liability insurance news: more apprentices needed, says union

Workers' union Unite has urged those in the building and construction industry to take on more apprentices.

According to the union, a decline in the number of young workers coming into the industry could lead to a skills shortage.

It also urged the government to do more to help firms take on apprentices.

Chairman of training firm JTL and Unite assistant general secretary Les Bayliss said the government should use the leverage power of procurement to encourage firms to offer more training to young workers.

"We want to see new and existing firms who have long standing and terrific records in investing in apprentices rewarded in future procurement and contracts within the supply chain in public sector projects," he said.

According to Unite, although the overall number of apprenticeships is growing, it is not enough to make up for the drastic fall in numbers seen during the economic downturn.

Earlier this week, builders' union UCATT said it was disappointed in the lack of measures to help the industry in the Scottish government's recently passed Budget Bill.

Posted by Toby Freeman

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