CITB implores industry to take on stranded Carillion apprentices

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is urging employers to step up and take on Carillion’s former apprentices.

The collapsed contractor’s 1,400 apprentices have been in limbo since it was forced into liquidation on Monday.

CITB has been working with the Education and Skills Funding Agency to ensure funding is available to support the continued training for Carillion apprentices.

Sarah Beale, chief executive of the CITB, said: “We understand it’s a very worrying time for the young people who were on the Carillion apprenticeship programme, but we can help them restart their training and get their careers back on track if they get in touch with us.

“Our industry needs the skills these young people are developing and we want to help them find new employers and get their qualifications.”

Carillion apprentices are primarily training in fields critical to both the housing and skills crises, with a majority working in bricklaying, carpentry and joinery.

CITB hopes to start placing apprentices with new employers as early as next week as the construction sector looks to recover from the collapse of its second biggest firm.

Beale said: “Our industry, which has consistently reported skill shortages and difficulties in attracting apprentices, now needs to step up and support these young people who have so much to offer. There is certainly no shortage of work in construction, with housebuilding and infrastructure particularly strong, so these young people can have great careers despite this setback.

“At CITB, we are committed to doing everything we can to help the former Carillion apprentices, and hope to see many of them restarting their careers very soon.”

Apprentices were being trained in Carillion centres through England and Scotland, with some of the bigger centres based in Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, Sunderland, Sittingbourne and Southampton (pictured).

A hotline has been set up for both former Carillion apprentices and for construction employers who are interested in helping them.