Work carried out to raise awareness of career opportunities in the construction industry among young people in schools will become even more vital for students, their parents and the industry with the Government’s changes to careers advice in England, CITB-ConstructionSkills said today.

As thousands of school leavers consider their career options ahead of their GCSE results next week, CITB-ConstructionSkills revealed it will be undertaking in excess of 450 events in schools during 2011 as well as supporting national and regional careers and recruitment events.

The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) recently warned that young people risk losing out on careers advice before new provisions are in place as existing Connexions youth advice services are being cut by up to 50 per cent in some areas.  Headteachers have voiced concerns that the figure may be as high as over two million young people in England.

Next year’s changes to careers guidance and the likely permanent reduction in face to face careers advice and guidance to students will make it even more important for CITB-ConstructionSkills to increase understanding of the wide variety of career options in the sector and ensure young people and their parents can find out about the opportunities in our industry.

Mark Farrar, chief executive of ConstructionSkills, said:

“With the move to a National Careers Service and the likely focus on online and telephone careers support for the majority of young people, the work we do in schools will be even more vital for students in terms of ensuring they can get information and guidance about our industry face-to-face.

 “CITB-ConstructionSkills works on behalf of industry to bring new blood into construction and our staff work with schools, colleges, parents, local authorities and employers to ensure that young people can find out about the different career options available and the benefits of working in our industry.

“With 43,000 new people needed each year until 2015, the construction industry offers fantastic long-term prospects for young people and great opportunities for career progression, whether that is one day moving into leadership and management, starting their own business or becoming a master craftsman.

“We forge valuable links with schools, visiting 100s each year and also banish old stereotypes about construction by speaking to young people, parents and careers advisers and holding events that introduce young people and parents to employers and apprentices in the industry.

 “In addition, our network of industry representatives, Construction Ambassadors, also go into schools to talk about their experiences which mean students get to hear first-hand about the realities of working in the industry.

“We also work to encourage diversity and highlight the great opportunities for women in the industry and this has helped result in a 72 per cent increase in the number of women considering a career in the industry since 2006.

“With university fees at an all time high we expect that more and more young people will be considering other options and we help ensure that they are aware of the many different routes into the construction industry, including apprenticeships which give them the opportunity to earn while they learn.

“The time to prepare for the future is now if we’re to head off a skills shortage and our careers advisers and Construction ambassadors will continue to help keep the pipeline of talent flowing into our industry and deliver the right skills for economic growth both locally and nationally.”