New research calls on Government to improve the apprenticeship system to create a better skilled workforce for vital infrastructure projects

Posted on: 19 October, 2020

High skill, high tech construction apprenticeships are needed to boost the skills needed in infrastructure projects to drive the UK’s economic recovery.

This is what is being called for by the authors of a new research report, released today, entitled ‘Build back better: Improving the apprenticeship system to better support infrastructure’.

The report, written on behalf of the Construction Industry Council (CIC), UCEM and the Technical Apprenticeship Consortium (TAC), with data used from a CIC survey of employers, recommends that Government works with CIC, employers and the professional bodies to:

• recognise the value of technical and higher-level apprenticeships leading to professional registration;
• increase the flexibility of the apprenticeship levy;
• join up and improve the apprenticeship systems across the UK;
• celebrate and promote apprenticeships.

Aled Williams, who co-authored the report and is CIC Champion on Higher Education and UCEM’s Director of Research, Innovation and Partnerships, commented: “The construction industry is integral to the UK’s financial health and can provide the catalyst for an economic recovery accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Apprenticeships are hugely important for employers to train workforces with the appropriate skill set to achieve the ambitious infrastructure projects projected across the nation, however, both businesses and education providers need to have more input in how these are run. The research shows that there is a desire throughout the construction industry to get apprenticeships right and, if Government listens and acts upon the recommendations outlined, there could be huge benefits for the UK.”

CIC Chief Executive, Graham Watts OBE, added: “CIC would like to thank UCEM and everyone else involved for their time and expertise in pulling together this crucial report.  Now is the time for Government to work with our sector to showcase and promote the careers across the full spectrum of employers and occupational roles, showing the opportunity that future talent can have in driving forward innovation and technological solutions that will shape their environment for the better.”

To read the full report, head to our Latest Publications webpage.