THE region's construction industry is set for a £40m cash injection to help plug the chronic skills shortage in the sector.

The cash will be primarily used to expand modern apprenticeships in the industry and create more further education places for construction workers.

According to the latest employers skill needs survey, 77 per cent of bosses in the north west said they experienced difficulties in recruiting skilled staff.

The recruitment of carpenters, joiners and bricklayers was worst affected, followed by plumbers and professionals.

But this latest initiative between the Greater Manchester Learning & Skills Council and the Construction Industry Training Board aims to training within the region's industry.

Wigan builder Keith Pitchford learnt his trade as an apprentice and is very keen to give something back through the Modern Apprenticeship scheme.

He said: "I think that it's a great shame that some kids are not being given a chance. People need to know that there is support out there to do this, to get skills and a trade.

"I've always been in touch with the CITB, and they've always tried to put apprentices through."

Confidence

Keith has recently taken on 20 year-old Brett Hackett who left school with no GCSEs.

"Everyone has chipped in to help Brett, but that counts for nothing if the lad is not interested. Clearly he's very keen, and now he's confident enough to be left to get on with the job," said Keith.

He says he fits Brett's college course around the needs of the business. "Sometimes the trainers come on site and teach him as part of the job were doing, so that helps. They understand more about the importance of quality when they go to college and this gets them ready for work on sites."

"Taking on an apprentice might appear to bring with it extra work, but it's not difficult at all. I do my own paperwork anyway and this doesn't really add any extra work."

Construction bosses in the region are being invited to work with the agencies to identify what is needed to meet the skills requirments of their industries.

Paul Ward, sector development manager at the Learning and Skills Council Greater Manchester, said: "By working together and focussing on each sector we have identified many skills shortages, from the obvious lack of carpenters and joiners, to the need for niche trades people.

"There will now be more places, and encouragement, for youngsters to take up a modern apprenticeship or college course in such valuable trades as carpentry, joinery and plumbing."

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