The minister for skills writes...

If we're to persuade young people to make a career in construction, it's vital to overcome our national prejudice against vocational education. It's a prejudice that not only undermines youngsters who are on vocational programmes; it's harmful to an economy crying out for more skilled workers, particularly at technician level.

One of the government's main tools for addressing the skills shortage at the associate professional and higher technician level, and encouraging young people to participate in higher education, is the new Foundation Degree.

Foundation Degrees are two-year full-time or part-time equivalent vocational qualifications, designed to provide specialist knowledge and skills. They will develop the broader understanding necessary for professional development.

The University of Central Lancashire, for example, is offering a Foundation Degree in Construction. The Construction Industry Council has been involved in designing the degree to meet employers' demands for intermediate level, technical, supervisory and management skills. In October we announced an additional 10,000 places for Foundation Degrees in 2004/5.

Every industry knows it must attract new blood. And every well-run industry knows the importance of looking after its current employees – not only in terms of pay and conditions, but also in providing training and education.

Construction is a vital sector of our economy, and no sector is any stronger than the combined skills of its members. I hope it is clear that this government takes training very seriously.