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<p>Skills policy is a devolved area so the Devolved Administrations have complete
flexibility over how to support businesses to ensure there are sufficient skilled
workers. In England, apprenticeship reforms are empowering employers to design high
quality apprenticeships to meet their skills needs. Employers in the sector are involved
in developing new apprenticeships standards in over 20 construction-related occupations
e.g. site management, construction technician, master builder bricklaying, steelfixing,
on-site assembly and wood trades.</p><br /><p>Working with the Construction Leadership
Council, the construction industry is developing a single entry point and a single
image campaign to construction careers to enthuse young people about the opportunities
the sector offers.</p><br /><p>The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), a
UK-wide body, returns over £130million a year to the construction sector to support
apprenticeships and upskilling of the workforce across England and the devolved administrations
- over £47million of that figure was spent in 2014 supporting 18,500 construction
apprentices. The CITB also has strategic relationships in place with the Department
for Work and Pensions and with services resettlement to encourage individuals to join
the sector.</p><br /><p>The Apprenticeship Levy will link larger employers directly
to its skills investment and promote the value, and drive the uptake, of apprenticeships.
We are introducing the Immigration Skills Charge to encourage employers to invest
in up-skilling our resident workforce and reduce reliance on migrant labour.</p>
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