Laing O'Rourke has announced a significant overhaul of its apprenticeship programme to assist the economic recovery in UK construction.

In partnership with ConstructionSkills, Laing O'Rourke's new programme - 'Apprenticeship Plus' - will see current apprentice intake levels rise by 200 later this year with a further 800 to follow through engagement with commercial partners across Laing O'Rourke's supply chain - and the long-term expansion of the Group.

Ray O'Rourke, Laing O'Rourke's Chairman and Chief Executive, described the initiative as a "step-change for this industry".

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He said: "As a Group, we have a clear vision to challenge and change the image of construction. We see the current economic backdrop as a time to identify opportunities - and there is no better time and opportunity than now to invest in the future, and bring about long-term transformation of skills capability in this industry."

Recruits to Laing O'Rourke's Apprenticeship Plus will learn through a mix of practical skills training and formal industry education in all aspects of modern engineering, manufacturing and constructing. This will be an accredited programme lasting four years.

ConstructionSkills' Chief Executive, Mark Farrar, welcomed Laing O'Rourke's initiative as Apprenticeship Plus was unveiled at the Group's Kent headquarters.

He said: "In our role as a leading Sector Skills Council, we are looking strategically at the long-term future of apprenticeships to ensure they support the industry's future skills needs. This joint venture with Laing O'Rourke is one of the first tangible outcomes of this work, and we anticipate it will deliver tailor-made new recruits which meet their requirements."

(CD/JM)