Students applying for courses in construction and the built environment will be offered scholarships under a £1m package funded CITB-ConstructionSkills and construction firms.

The scheme, which offers 60 packages of up to £9000, is open to the top 35% of students applying for courses this autumn. Amec, Balfour Beatty, Mowlem and Persimmon are among companies that have contributed to the fund.

A student who obtains a scholarship will also be given the opportunity for on-site training with a company supporting the scheme.

A CITB spokesperson said: “It is this personal involvement of companies that will benefit the industry as a whole by tackling future skills needs.

“Inspire scholarships enables us to support talented young people with both the theory and the skills they will need to excel in our industry.”