FMB

FMB tells government to be realistic about skills of construction students



The government must be realistic about the skills and work-readiness of students who have completed construction T Levels, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).


Commenting on the government’s response to the T Level consultation, Brian Berry, chief executive at the FMB, said that the idea that a student who had completed a T Level in bricklaying was able to call themselves a qualified bricklayer was not credible.

“The government must be realistic about how much can be achieved in two years of largely college-based learning.

“Although T Levels include a three-month work placement – when the rest of the individual’s knowledge and skills are acquired in the classroom – in construction they will need more time on site, post-T Level, before they can and should describe themselves as being qualified in that trade.

“Small- and medium-sized construction firms – which do the bulk of training in our industry – would rather view T Levels as a rich pool of talent through which to find apprentices.”



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