{"id":510037,"date":"2024-11-26T00:05:24","date_gmt":"2024-11-26T00:05:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.constructionnews.co.uk\/?p=510037"},"modified":"2024-11-26T16:41:38","modified_gmt":"2024-11-26T16:41:38","slug":"apprenticeship-cuts-will-exacerbate-skills-shortages-in-wales","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.constructionnews.co.uk\/skills\/apprenticeship-cuts-will-exacerbate-skills-shortages-in-wales-26-11-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Apprenticeship cuts will ‘exacerbate skills shortages’ in Wales"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cuts to funding for apprenticeships in Wales will see 565 fewer people join the construction workforce, a report has claimed.<\/p>\n

Centre for Enterprise and Business Research (Cebr) analysis for ColegauCymru (CollegesWales) and the National Training Federation for Wales (NTFW) said the sector\u2019s skills shortage will be made worse by the Welsh Government budget cuts.<\/p>\n

The analysis<\/a> estimated a reduction of 565 apprentices in the construction industry, down 25 per cent from 2,255 in Wales in 2022\/23.<\/p>\n

The analysis said this will cost the Welsh construction sector up to \u00a342.5m in economic output.<\/p>\n

It noted that, according to the Construction Industry Training Board, Wales currently experiences a net loss of 300 workers per year, but that meeting industry demand would require it to recruit an extra 2,200 workers annually until 2028.<\/p>\n

\u201cFunding cuts to apprenticeships would exacerbate these shortages, limiting the industry\u2019s ability to keep pace with infrastructure and development needs,\u201d it says.<\/p>\n

The budget of the Welsh Government\u2019s flagship Apprenticeship Programme was cut by 14 per cent in 2024\/25, though it is still worth \u00a3143m.<\/p>\n

NTFW and ColegauCymru are calling for the apprenticeships budget to be increased to levels seen before European funding was removed.<\/p>\n

ColegauCymru chief executive David Hagendyk said: \u201cThe data is deeply concerning and underlines the devastating impact of apprenticeship funding cuts on Wales\u2019 economy and our most vulnerable communities. A strong apprenticeships programme is critical for Wales\u2019 economic recovery, equipping individuals and businesses with the skills they need for success.\u201d<\/p>\n

NTFW strategic director Lisa Mytton added: \u201cThe findings are a stark warning. Without urgent action, we risk long-term damage to Wales\u2019 workforce and economy. Apprenticeships must remain a priority in government funding to secure our future.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Welsh government spokesperson said in a statement to Construction News: \u201cWe remain committed to degree apprenticeships, maintaining funding for 2024-25 and expanding into new sectors including a rail engineering programme starting this year and new construction programmes which started in September.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur shared apprenticeship scheme also continues to support the construction sector. Y Prentis<\/em> is funded by Welsh government and the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and employs apprentices across a range of construction trades. It has helped train more than 500 apprentices to date.\u201d
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Last week, the UK Government announced plans<\/a> to invest \u00a3140m to create 5,000 more construction apprenticeships in England, through the creation of \u201cup to\u201d 32 new Homebuilding Skills Hubs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Cuts to funding for apprenticeships in Wales will see 565 fewer people join the construction workforce, a report has claimed. Centre for Enterprise and Business Research (Cebr) analysis for ColegauCymru (CollegesWales) and the National Training Federation for Wales (NTFW) said the sector\u2019s skills shortage will be made worse by the Welsh Government budget cuts. The …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":43915,"featured_media":372365,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ep_exclude_from_search":false},"categories":[575],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n