Building industry welcomes emphasis on vocational education

The Government’s determination to address the UK’s lack of vocational skills has been underlined at the Federation of Master Builders National Conference.

Speaking at the conference, Ivan Lewis, Minister for Young People and Learning, outlined a range of proposals and initiatives aimed at improving vocational education, to help the building industry address the severe skills shortage that it is currently facing.

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has calculated that the industry needs tens of thousands of new recruits if it to begin to tackle the problem of skills shortages - an issue that greatly affects the ability of the sector to deliver the targets of improved performance, competitiveness and quality.

To address this shortfall, Mr Lewis outlined the development of an educational structure aimed at providing individuals with more rounded portfolios that combine both the qualifications and skills necessary for more flexible and productive employment.

The Minister said: “The Government is putting in place a vocational ladder that will provide coherent framework for pupils aged from 14 wanting to tailor their education better to their career path.”

The Minister explained that this could include wholly vocational options or a mix that includes more traditional GCSEs. Other options would include Modern Apprenticeships and vocational A Levels and Degrees.

He continued: “There is not a great history for vocational training. It has retained a Cinderella status and is held in somewhat lower esteem than academic education. This must change.

Federation delegates, many of whom reported difficulties in recruiting skilled craftspeople, welcomed the proposals.

Ian Davis, Director General of FMB, said: “For too long there has been a misplaced snobbery against learning a trade. Initiatives outlined today by Mr Lewis, together with those initiatives being developed by the FMB, such as the Master Builder of the Year Awards, will help raise the profile and awareness of the wide range of career opportunities offered by the building industry.” (CL)