14-03-2008
Some construction firms reluctant to offer apprenticeships
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Construction companies, who have large employer's liability premiums, are among those businesses which are reluctant to offer apprenticeships, it has been suggested.
According to the external affairs director at the Federation of Master Builders, Brian Berry, there are not enough employers in the construction industry offering apprenticeships.
He explained that it is cheaper for large construction firms to sub-contract than to train and apprentice.
In addition to expenses such as public liability and employer's liability insurance, construction firms with apprentices need around £12,000 to spend on training an individual for a year, Mr Berry said.
The maximum grant available only covers £2,250 of this expense.
Mr Berry said: "There needs to be more incentives for employers to offset the costs of training apprentices."
According to ConstructionSkills, last year saw the placement of 8.500 apprentices, which was around 1,000 fewer than in 2006, CNPlus reports.