BESA (Building Engineering Services Association) has responded enthusiastically to the boost to vocational training which was announced by Chancellor Philip Hammond in his recent budget.
The Chancellor announced £500 million to develop new 'T Levels' in 15 vocational categories including engineering and construction.
T Levels are designed to be the technical equivalent of A Levels, which will help to prevent students who wish to pursue a non-academic path from being disadvantaged in the eyes of future employers or dissuaded by their parents.
Tony Howard who is BESA's training director has welcomed the move and said it would underpin the work the association is doing to help building – engineering employer address skills shortages by developing a range of new trailblazer apprenticeships in England while also driving forward training standards in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
T Levels are to be developed between 2018 and 2022.
According to BESA, every £1 of taxpayer's money invested in apprenticeships at level 2 and 3 pays back £26 to £28 in long-term economic benefits and 83% of apprentices believe their career prospects have improved as a result of securing a place on an apprenticeship scheme.
