NHBC welcomes 50,000 new apprenticeships

NHBC has welcomed this week’s announcement by prime minister Keir Starmer that the government is to create 50,000 more apprenticeships and foundation apprenticeships for young people over the next three years.

The £725 million package of reforms to the apprenticeship system aims to help tackle youth unemployment and drive economic growth. The funding includes a £140 million for a pilot where Mayors will be able to connect young people - especially those not in education, employment or training (NEET) - with apprenticeship opportunities at local employers, helping to meet their specific needs.

Roger Morton, director of business change at the NHBC, said: “(This) commitment from the prime minister to create 50,000 new apprenticeship opportunities is an important step in tackling youth unemployment and supporting sectors vital to the UK’s economic future, not least construction.

“At NHBC, we say it is all about ‘skill, baby, skill’ if we are to ensure we have the workforce needed to build 1.5 million homes and achieve the government’s ambition to 'build, baby, build'. The supply of skilled workers will ultimately determine whether the country can meet its housing targets.

The government says it will also cover the full cost of apprenticeships for …