An apprentice recruitment drive has been launched by the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (
ECITB) to find the next generation of engineers.
The programme hopes to recruit 1,220 people by the end of the year in response to figures suggesting that there will be a shortage of 30,000 skilled personnel in these industries by 2014.
Jim Kinnel, the ECITB's head of apprenticeship programmes, said: ‘Our registered companies’ commitment to developing young people through apprenticeships is unwavering. Some 1,740 apprentices are currently being trained for the industry with the invaluable support of around 200 companies nationwide.'
The ECITB claims that engineering and construction are among the few industries able to offer a stable and well-paid career in the current economic downturn.
Kinnel added: ‘Although these are clearly difficult times for everyone and recruiting an apprentice is a significant commitment, we still anticipate demand for apprenticeships to be very high in 2009.’
The ECITB will be investing £100m in training over the next five years. Most apprentices will be recruited against existing job vacancies with employers receiving a £10,000 grant for each apprentice.
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