The Government's announcement that bids for public sector contracts worth over £10m must demonstrate a clear commitment to apprenticeship training, will help increase apprenticeship numbers, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Head of External Affairs at the FMB, Sarah McMonagle, said: "Almost 40% of construction output comes from public sector contracts and therefore the Government has a responsibility to use its buying power to drive positive change in our industry – this is particularly the case with apprenticeship training. Lowering the threshold from £50 million to £10 million should assist.

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"At present, two thirds of all construction apprentices are trained by micro firms but all businesses – large and small – need to increase the number of apprentices they are training if we have any hope of reaching the Government's target of three million new apprenticeships by 2020."

"Large firms employing hundreds of people are working their way towards a 5% target but let's remember that for micro firms training apprentices, their apprentices constitute upwards of 10% of their workforce.

McMonagle added the FMB hopes the measures set out in a recent consultation will drive up apprenticeship training among large employers and help ensure bigger firms play a greater role in training the future workforce.

(LM)