Griff Thomas, managing director for GTEC, part of the United Living Group, has reacted to the Chancellor’s Spring Statement.
I am delighted to hear the government’s commitment to construction and skills in today’s spring statement and the Plan for Change announcement made on the 23rd. As the Chancellor said, ‘Getting Britain Building’ is crucial to our economic growth and provides countless opportunities for skilled trades people.
With the backing of the United Living Group, GTEC is well placed to support the government’s ambitions with our nationwide approved training centre network and developing construction-based courses that in the future will cover the breadth of the skill-base needed to help deliver Labour’s proposed building boost, including £1.5m homes.
There is a long road ahead, however, and the latest Office for National Statistics figures show that there are over 35,000 job vacancies, with employers reporting that over half of vacancies can’t be filled due to a lack of required skills – the highest rate of any sector. I hope that the ‘funding & reforms’, including £100m to ensure new entrants, returners, or those looking to upskill within the industry, are well thought out, creating real incentive for both trainees and employers.