Mon, 10 Jan 2011
A report from Birmingham City Council has stated that it hopes to create 500 new apprenticeship opportunities in the local construction industry.
The council says it will create the jobs and staff training opportunities in order to help young people improve their employment prospects for the future. The council suggests that this, in turn, will help bolster the construction industry in Birmingham for generations to come.
The apprenticeship schemes are expected to create jobs on local projects such as the development of a supermarket on the former MG Rover site in Longbridge.
Local councillor, John Lines, told the Birmingham Post newspaper that the scheme will train young people in the skills they need to become plumbers, cabinet makers, carpenters and electricians. They will then fill new positions that have become available in the housing directorate. He continued, "We should be very proud of ourselves. We are training youngsters to become craftsmen, they will get qualifications and experience."
The council says it will also continue to encourage local firms to take on workers and apprentices from the Birmingham area whenever it awards construction contracts.
Other local councils, including Bristol City Council and Essex County Council, have recently launched similar apprenticeship schemes reflecting the fact that young people who have practical qualifications, and have been given the opportunity to learn at work, are more employable.
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