Sajid Javid MP, former Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, has praised the builders’ merchant’s industry for attracting apprentices into the sector to help solve the housing crisis.
Speaking at a Parliamentary Reception at the House of Commons to mark the 110th anniversary of the Builders’ Merchants Federation (BMF), the Housing Secretary pointed to the vital role the building materials industry will play in meeting the government’s housebuilding targets. He welcomed the work of the BMF and its members in using the Apprenticeship Levy to create apprenticeship roles and opportunities for young people to enter the sector.
The BMF revealed that since the Apprenticeship Levy came into effect just a year ago, 74 builders’ merchants have so far used the BMF Apprenticeship Plus service and they anticipate a further 200 new apprenticeship roles by the end of this year.
John Newcomb, BMF chief executive, said the numbers will continue growing quickly over the coming years and also pointed to Travis Perkins’ recent announcement of plans to create 200 further apprentice roles in 2018 alone.
He said: “At £55 billion the UK building materials supply chain is bigger than the automotive and aerospace industries combined. We’re growing too, with merchants delivering the building blocks for economic and housing growth across the country seeing robust growth through 2017 and into this year.
“The confidence, growth and resilience in our sector means we’re able to invest more into opening up opportunities for young people to enter the industry.”