To mark National Apprenticeships Week, the FMB has called for the government to introduce a skills and training system that “genuinely works” for SME employers in construction.

This is required, according to the group, to support workforce capabilities around core construction, green skills and retrofit work.

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The government has announced support aimed at construction, such as the creation of 13,000 apprentices as part of a concerted effort to transform the nation’s school properties, but the FMB is pushing for more.

Brian Berry, CEO at the FMB, has argued that this kind of support is needed to both support SME builders and housing delivery plans.

As such, he has said the “skills crisis” means more than just filling vacancies.

“Small builders need a long-term plan they can trust, not a patchwork of short-term schemes that change year after year,” said Brian.

“That means clear competence standards for modern and green construction, properly funded apprenticeships that reflect real SME work, and targeted support for the small firms who take on apprentices.”