Construction's major employer groups have committed to taking on over 1,500 apprentices between them in 2012 according to the Industry Training Board and Sector Skills Council CITB-ConstructionSkills.

Employers, including those from UK Contractors Group, Home Builders Federation and Major Home Builders Group, have collectively allocated training budget for 1,560 full time apprentices in their business plans for this year in order to prepare for an increase in workforce demand expected when the market picks up towards the end of 2013.

Mike Bialyj, Director of Employer Services, CITB-ConstructionSkills said: "The outlook for apprenticeship recruitment in 2012 is looking much healthier than last year’s figures. As a managing agency our own recruitment numbers are on the rise but these figures from the major employer groups are also encouraging. It’s clear that employers are carefully planning their 2013/14 workforce now to make sure that they have the skills and talent at the ready to take advantage of the opportunities that will arise.

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"Apprentices are the lifeblood of the industry and continued support for apprenticeships is critical if we are to have a steady pipeline or talent coming into the sector. We are an aging industry with one in ten expected to retire in the next decade so we really need to continue to recruit and train more people into the sector.

"It's also great that so many of the larger employers have been helping SMEs by taking on an apprentice but allowing that apprentice to train and work for the smaller contractor. This has been working really well for many throughout the sector."

Kier Group plan to take on at least 145 apprentices this year.

Employers from the Home Builders Federation intend to take on over 100 apprentices despite being one of the trade groups hit the hardest in the recession.

(CD/GK)