With thousands of would-be apprentices still struggling to find employers, ConstructionSkills is urging the construction industry to take on apprentices or risk falling further behind competitor countries such as France and Germany.

Currently 28% of school leavers in England and Wales enrol in apprenticeships compared with around two thirds in Germany and Austria.

The government announced earlier this year that by 2013 they want more young people continuing in post-16 training and education. In addition, the government is expected to back Lord Leitch’s recommendations for improving UK skills, including a target of 500,000 people on apprenticeships across all sectors by 2020.

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There are currently only 250,000 apprentices working in all sectors.

ConstructionSkills, will 1 August, provide employers with an increased level of financial support, in excess of £9,400 in CITB-ConstructionSkills Grant, to help them take on an apprentice and meet these new targets.

In order to increase the number of apprenticeships all industries, including construction, are going to have to recruit more employers to take on young people.

There are still 3,700 young people across the UK who have passed the organisations selection test, which ensures they have an aptitude for the industry, and are still struggling to find employers to take them on.

North East, Yorkshire and Humber, Midlands and the South West are the worst affected regions as they all have more than over 500 young people looking for apprenticeships.

(JM/SP)