Amid increasing scrutiny, apprenticeship targets imposed by councils are critiqued by the construction sector for potentially causing more harm than good.
- Local authorities have imposed stringent apprenticeship requirements, linking them to planning permissions, causing financial strain and job losses.
- Industry voices, including Lucille Watkins-Brazier, highlight unrealistic expectations and geographical limitations as key issues with current policies.
- A mismatch in apprenticeship duration and construction project timelines often results in incomplete training and job insecurity for apprentices.
- Proposals for reform, such as collaborative approaches among boroughs, offer potential solutions but face political and logistical challenges.
Local governments have crafted policies requiring construction firms to meet certain apprenticeship quotas as part of their planning agreements, but these mandates are leading to financial penalties and are often unmanageable due to unrealistic expectations.
Lucille Watkins-Brazier from Lendlease criticises local councils for their lack of understanding regarding the complexity of construction projects, which results in disillusionment among apprentices unprepared for the industry’s demands.
The geographical constraints imposed by councils exacerbate the issue, with contractors unable to employ apprentices from neighbouring boroughs, thereby limiting recruitment possibilities while risking non-compliance fines.
Apprenticeships typically last three years, yet construction projects are often shorter, leaving many apprentices in limbo once a project is completed, which can lead to redundancies and unmet training needs.
Efforts to employ apprentices through training agencies have proven erratic, with companies like Mace noting such practices often leave apprentices unqualified and idle, reflecting poor industry standards.
Despite these challenges, there are movements within the industry advocating for a more collaborative model across boroughs, as suggested by Keith Bottomley, which could harmonise training opportunities and better fulfil sectional 106 agreement requirements.
Addressing these issues is essential for fostering true progress in construction apprenticeships and ensuring the sector meets its potential.
