The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has been granted permission to develop two new apprenticeship standards by the Government.

The bricklaying and plastering apprenticeships will form part of the Trailblazer programme.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: "We're determined that the new construction apprenticeship standards reflect the needs of both large and small employers which is why we’re leading the way in developing two new standards for bricklaying and plastering.

"These standards will be driven by a group of SME employers and will require the apprentice to learn general skills as well as their specialist trade. We've likened our approach to developing these trailblazers to an American university degree where you have a core subject and a 'major' in a particular discipline – in our case, apprentices will become 'Master Builders' with a major in either bricklaying or plastering.

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"That way, by the time they complete their apprenticeship, they'll have a much more well-rounded set of skills plus their chosen specialist trade which they can deploy when working for an employer of any size."

Skills Minister Nick Boles said: "Giving organisations like the Federation of Master Builders, and their group of employers, the power to design apprenticeships means apprentices graduate with the skills they need for the job they want and businesses get the talent they need to grow.

"Young people on these programmes will have the opportunity to learn sought-after skills and enjoy a great start to a working life."

Mr Berry added: "The Government's target to achieve three million new apprenticeships over the lifetime of this Parliament is an ambitious one but while striving to get there, we must never compromise on quality."

(LM)