Construction jobs and skills scheme launched
Building Jobs in Greater Birmingham has been launched by Birmingham City Council in partnership with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).
The £1 million strategy includes a range of initiatives aimed at supporting growth within the construction sector and improving skills and employment opportunities. This will be supported through joint funding between Birmingham City Council and the CITB Joint Investment Programme.
One of the schemes is the Building Birmingham Scholarship which will provide access to education, employment and training, including financial support, for young people aged between 16 and 24.
Councillor Tahir Ali, cabinet member for development, jobs and skills, who launched the scheme this week said: “We are looking to invest up to £1m to support growth in the construction sector by helping improve skills and employment. I'm particularly pleased to announce the Building Birmingham Scholarship which will target talented young people living in parts of the city where there are high levels of unemployment, who want to work in the construction and built environment industry.”
Five young people who will be supported through the scholarship programme took part in the launch, along with representatives from the construction industry.
Judy Lowe, Deputy Chairman of CITB also launched the Joint Investment Strategy, which will see every pound invested by employers matched by the public sector. He said: “With the construction industry facing a skills gap, it's vital that initiatives like these are available, so that people around the country have the skills to benefit from construction. CITB plays a pivotal role in providing the skills and training needed by industry - in 2012 that took the form of over £165 million in skills support across the UK.”
ENDS
For more information please contact Sarah Kirby on 0121 303 3885
