Construction union UCATT have welcomed skills secretary John Denham's decision to appoint a senior trouble-shooter to get the Government's £5 billion college rebuilding programme back on track.

The college rebuilding project is a key part of the Government's infrastructure programme. In recent weeks it has become apparent that many projects had been delayed and question marks have arisen about the ability of the Learning and Skills Council to manage the rebuilding programme.

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Alan Ritchie, General Secretary of UCATT, said: "John Denham should be congratulated in having moved swiftly to appoint a trouble-shooter to get these projects moving. In the current economic climate it is essential that delays do not occur in commissioning major Government projects. This will help to ensure that confidence returns to the industry and construction workers remain in employment."

The college rebuilding scheme is key to improving training in the construction industry. In December the Department for Innovation Universities and Skills, announced a major expansion in the training of apprentices, especially in construction. To increase the number of construction apprentices Government departments will be expected to require that contractors train apprentices when tendering for work. DIUS made the commitment that the college rebuilding project would be one of the first schemes to include the requirement to train apprentices.

(CD/JM)