Increase in Youth Unemployment Gives Cause for Concern

Dear Editor

Reports that unemployment amongst young people is rising throughout Scotland give serious cause for concern.  One contributing factor is weak performance in the construction industry, which has traditionally employed up to 10% of the Scottish workforce.  Scottish construction employment actually fell by 10,000 during the second quarter of this year.  While the number of individuals successfully completing a modern apprenticeship across all sectors in Scotland increased by 84% over the past year, a recent survey of Scottish Building Federation members shows the number of construction firms recruiting apprentices continues to decline.

The industry’s performance remains shaky for now but the longer term outlook is very positive, with major opportunities opening up in areas such as renewable energy.  Indeed, without action, we could face a significant skills shortage in the building industry in future years that risks hampering growth in the wider economy.  One key measure for bolstering construction apprentice numbers must be to prioritise additional funding for capital investment to build schools, homes and other infrastructure.  That will give more building firms the confidence to recruit additional apprentices, secure in the knowledge they have work to offer them, and the longer term prospects of a rewarding career.

Yours sincerely

Michael Levack
Chief Executive
Scottish Building Federation
Crichton House
4 Crichton’s Close
Holyrood
Edinburgh
EH8 8DT

michael.levack@scottish-building.co.uk

Tel. 0131 558 5249

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