'Skills time-bomb' in West Midlands building industry
The building industry in the West Midlands is warning of a "skills time-bomb" with two-thirds of contractors in Birmingham saying they are struggling to recruit younger workers.
The Industry Training Board says a new generation needs to be made more aware of the opportunities in construction.
It comes as JCB joined forces with the training board to start a skills drive.
Jeff Baker, at Birmingham Construction Training Centre, said £17bn worth of construction projects are planned in Birmingham over next five to 10 years.
But Alan Bell, project manager at construction firm BAM, said: "The workforce is out there.
"It's about getting out there, it's about getting out of the college, getting onto the site and actually learning the trade."
17 Dec 2013
- From the section Birmingham & Black Country