I'd like to respond to the news of a new training board (3 October, page 3).
I work at a Black Country construction college where we have more than 150 wannabee construction craft apprentices. Unfortunately, they will not be joining the ranks of modern apprentices, because we cannot find construction employers willing to take them on.

If memory serves me right, last year, the Construction Industry Training Board sacked most of its modern apprentices in the West Midlands because of a lack of placements. So setting up another board demanding training schemes will not effectively train tradespeople for our industry.

Most civil engineering companies refuse to employ anyone under the age of 18, because of health and safety rules and the high insurance premiums that they attract. Is it any wonder that many school leavers despair of obtaining a career with us?