Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of skills shortages in the construction industry; and what steps he is taking to rectify such shortages.

Jesse Norman, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Minister for Industry and Energy: The Department for Education (DfE) is responsible for the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), the body that supports training and skills in construction.

DfE is currently working closely with employers in the construction industry to develop new apprenticeships for the sector. While evidence suggests there are sufficient learners going through the skills system, with over 200,000 construction qualifications being taken each year, reforms set out in the skills plan (July 2016) will ensure these qualifications become more relevant and meet the industry’s needs.

Additionally, the Construction Leadership Council, the business led sector council which advises Government on key strategic issues, has investigated the labour model in the construction industry and commissioned an independent report (published in October 2016), making recommendations for industry and Government. The Government is currently considering the review’s recommendations.

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