School-leavers urged to forget uni and build a career now

 

Almost 1,000 construction trade apprenticeships are on offer in Essex – and school leavers are urged to consider taking them up as an alternative option to university, or “just finding a job”.

 

Mick O’Flynn is Essex delivery manager for the Construction IndustryTraining Board, the UK’s largest provider of apprentices for the construction industry. He said: “More apprentices are needed urgently across Essex and beyond. We are urging young people to consider them as an attractive choice for a future career.”

 

The CITB estimates at least 1,000 apprentices a year will be needed in Essex each year until 2018, if the industry’s requirements for fresh blood are to be satisfied.

 

Mr O’Flynn said apprenticeships should be considered seriously as an alternative to university, including by more academically-minded students.

 

He said: “The new regime of student loans is making many college leavers consider the full range of future career paths. Apprenticeships

provide an invaluable qualification which lead to real jobs and can set up a career for life.”

 

“These days, apprenticeship skills are much more varied and often more high-tech than the traditional trades of plumbing, carpentry, plastering and electrical.

 

“They are being taken seriously by a much wider pool of college leavers than ever before.

 

“Students will also be aware of the loans they will need to fund their degree, with the average cost of a three year university degree more than £25,941. But, if they opt for an apprenticeship, they will

have their training either part or fully-funded by Government, and CITB will support their employers with grants of up to £10,250 over three years.

 

“Apprentices will also earn a wage and may well have stronger employment prospects than graduates when they complete training.”

 

Infrastructure and house-building are playing a significant role in the current economic resurgence.

 

Mr O’Flynn said: “Major projects such as the £200million distribution centre in Thurrock, and a number of offshore wind developments, all above the £1billionmark, are helping to bolster the construction industry in Essex, and have helped to spark the rise in apprenticeship opportunities.”

 

* For more details on apprenticeships in the construction industry, go to citb.co.uk