As national Apprenticeship Week began yesterday, the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has announced that the GLA group is well on its way to providing more than 3,000 apprenticeships over the next three years.
A raft of different training opportunities, including work placements will be on offer, ranging from customer services to electrical engineering, which will create a better skilled workforce and boost the capital's economy.
The Mayor's economic recovery plan published last December set out a range of measures to help support the capital during the economic downturn, including the GLA group providing at least 1,000 apprenticeships a year until 2012, as well as work placement opportunities.
Transport for London and its contractors will be recruiting around 650 adult and 115 young apprentices over the next year and the Metropolitan Police Service and Metropolitan Police Authority are advancing plans to provide over 150 apprenticeships.
The GLA group is also establishing a new apprenticeship scheme in business administration which will provide around 15 training places later in 2009.
Most importantly, the group is working closely with existing and potential suppliers to encourage them to create apprenticeship schemes. We are also taking forward innovative new contract terms with our major suppliers that promote skills and training programmes.
The Mayor said: "I am confident that London will emerge from this downturn strong and ready to challenge what will undoubtedly be stiff competition. But we must be ready and that means, even during this uncertain period, we must keep up our training schemes so we have a skilled workforce for the future. At the GLA, we are pushing forward by expanding current programmes and creating new ones and I urge employers from across London's sectors to follow our lead and seek the wealth of advice and support that is out there. In my role as Chair of the London Skills and Employment Board I am ensuring we make it a highest priority to provide the best possible support to London's businesses."
(CD/JM)
Construction News
24/02/2009
Mayor On Course To Deliver Thousands Of New Apprenticeships

08/07/2025
Morgan Sindall Construction has announced the successful completion of the main building phase for the King Henry VIII 3-19 School redevelopment in Abergavenny, a transformative £62.5 million project delivered via the SEWSCAP framework. A celebration was held to mark the handover of the new building

08/07/2025
The government has today confirmed funding for over 50 road and rail infrastructure upgrades. These projects, which include long-awaited schemes such as the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine route and the Portishead to Bristol city centre rail line, are anticipated to provide a substantial boost to the con

08/07/2025
The shortlist for the 2025 Top 100 Most Influential Women in Construction Awards has been unveiled by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).
Now in its fourth year, the initiative continues to champion the significant contributions of women across the industry, aiming to make female role

08/07/2025
Watts Group, a prominent property and construction consultancy, has today published the 30th edition of its widely respected 'Watts Pocket Handbook', marking nearly a decade since its previous release.
Recognised as a vital resource for professionals across the built environment, this latest editi

08/07/2025
A team of staff from Leeds College of Building (LCB) recently made their debut at 'The Big Construction Diversity Challenge 2025'. The annual event, held on Friday, 27 June 2025, at Newark Showground, serves as a key platform to promote the crucial importance of equality, diversity, and inclusion (E

08/07/2025
Dan McGrail has been officially appointed as the permanent Chief Executive Officer of Great British Energy, the UK's publicly-owned clean power company.
His appointment aims to accelerate the government's Plan for Change, with a core mission to establish the UK as a clean energy superpower. Mr McG

08/07/2025
Understanding Custom Rubber Diaphragms
Custom rubber diaphragms are essential components in various industrial applications, playing a crucial role in enhancing performance and efficiency. As a manufacturer specialising in these versatile components, we've witnessed firsthand the impact th

08/07/2025
Modular tiles are among the most popular option for flooring at the minute. These bring character and sophistication through their layout. Most frequently these are made from porcelain which makes them multifunctional and highly durable. Modular tiles are suitable for old and new properties and are

07/07/2025
Travelodge has officially broken ground on a new 100-room hotel in Loughton, marking the latest addition to the UK's first budget hotel brand's expanding portfolio.
The company, which operates more than 610 hotels across the UK, Ireland and Spain, is aiming to meet growing demand for affordable ac

07/07/2025
Oldham Council has officially unveiled Snipe Gardens, a newly created green space and pedestrian gateway designed to provide a welcoming entrance into the town centre.
Situated on the site of the former Snipe Inn pub, the new landscaped area links Oldham bus station with Henshaw Street. As one of t