Carillion’s 1,400 apprentices to be redeployed

Image: Carillion.com

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) says it is taking steps to secure the future of the 1,400 apprentices employed by Carillion.

The CITB said it was establishing a project team that will prioritise the retention and redeployment of these apprentices, and will devise a package of support, including grants and apprenticeship transfer incentives, to encourage construction employers to take on the workers.

Carillion was the biggest employer of apprentices in the construction sector.

CITB said it would work with the Department for Education, the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and its network of colleges to help the apprentices stay in the industry.

Sarah Beale, chief executive of the CITB, said: “The news of Carillion entering insolvency is clearly a significant blow to the UK construction sector. While this will present the sector with a number of challenges, CITB’s priority is to do all it can to ensure that Carillion apprentices can continue their training so their skills are not lost.

“We have established a project team to work with the apprentices and will be offering in principle grant and apprenticeship transfer incentives to our employer base in order to retain these learners.

“We will be working closely with the ESFA, the Official Receiver and our network of college providers so that every possible support is in place to help these apprentices continue their training.

“We will be liaising with the Official Receiver with a view to contacting the apprentices as soon as possible.”