A partnership agreement to support growth, jobs and skills across the construction industry has been signed today by CITB-ConstructionSkills, the Industry Training Board and Sector Skills Council for the construction industry, and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

The agreement, signed by Chief Executive of CITB-ConstructionSkills, Mark Farrar, and Minister for Employment Mark Hoban MP, marks the start of closer working between the organisations to exploit and grow employment opportunities in the construction industry.

The partnership will support new approaches to policy making at a national level and development of innovative initiatives at a local level.

Construction is a key driver of economic growth at a national and local level and has huge potential to deliver jobs. The £100 billion industry employs 8 per cent of the UK workforce. It is 40% more labour intensive than manufacturing and 70% more labour intensive than the financial.sector.

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Chief Executive of CITB-ConstructionSkills Mark Farrar said: "The construction industry has been one of the hardest hit by the recession. 60,000 jobs were lost last year and similar losses are likely this year. What is bad for the industry is bad for the economy.

"We have been working with our partners and Government to drive growth in the industry. Our Construction4Growth campaign has brought the industry together and is delivering results. This new partnership with DWP marks a new stage in the campaign and is a great opportunity. It has been estimated, for example, that for every £100million spent on repair and maintenance 3,200 jobs can be created.

"The onus is now on CITB and DWP to translate the ambitions of the agreement into reality on the ground. This is a major opportunity and we are determined to exploit it to the full.

"Action rather than words, will help us to get the industry back on track contributing to economic growth. For every £1 that is spent on construction, £2.84 is returned to the economy, so the benefits of a healthy and buoyant construction industry will be felt across the board."

Minister for Employment Mark Hoban said: "I want to make sure all young people have a good start to their careers - that's why it's important for the Government to work with employers and trade associations.

"So I'm really pleased that this week I am signing partnership agreements with six major trade associations, including CITB ConstructionSkills.

"This will help us to promote schemes such as our Youth Contract wage incentive to more than 400,000 employers and create more opportunities for young jobseekers across the country."

(CD/GK)