Industry training body unveils plan for 18-month apprenticeships, construction activity falls at its steepest rate for six years, and campaign to help injured plumber raises £50,000!
CITB has unveiled plans for a series of ‘accelerated apprenticeship programmes’ across bricklaying, carpentry and roofing.
The initiative aims to qualify trainees in as little as 14 to 18 months, compared to the traditional two or three years.
The industry training body claims it can deliver the truncated apprenticeships through intense early stage learning, structured block release and on site experience.
CITB claims that the new training format will increase uptake, boost completion rates and get more skilled workers into the industry.
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Shrinking order books, rising material costs, and economic uncertainty led to a steep decline in construction activity last month.
The UK Purchasing Managers’ Index saw its biggest drop since May 2020.
Residential housing activity continued to be the weakest-performing sector.
Nearly two-thirds of respondents said they’d seen a jump in prices, mostly linked to fuel surcharges, rising energy costs and higher transport bills.
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A fundraising campaign to bring home a plumber who sustained a serious head injury in a fall has generated nearly £50,000.
23-year-old Sam Wheeler has been treated in London since the accident.
The Bring Sam Home appeal has set a target of £80,000 to adapt his home, buy specialist equipment and fund long term care.
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