Scots are being urged to help save thousands of jobs and apprenticeships in the construction industry by joining a people-power campaign.

With investment in building projects hit hard by the recession, the jobs of tradespeople across the country are under threat. And the lack of work means the skills of apprentices - the plumbers, plasterers, decorators and joiners of the future - could wither on the vine, leaving Scotland with a skills gap in years to come.

The Repairing Scotland campaign, launched today (March 17) by the building company Rok, aims to prevent this by calling on Chancellor Alistair Darling to provide a shot in the arm to the industry.

The company wants Scots to sign an online petition calling for VAT on repair and maintenance work to be cut to 5 percent. The move would make renovations and makeovers more affordable, encouraging owners and landlords to invest in their properties.

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The increased demand could create around 3,000 jobs in Scotland, according to recent research.

Rok’s Managing Director for Scotland, Andy Mallice, said: "The construction industry has a vital role to play in Scotland’s economic recovery. But currently, we are in danger of more jobs being lost and a whole generation of apprentices entering a work-starved wilderness, which could see their important skills lost forever.

"I believe many people in Scotland share our determination not to let that happen. But we need to send a message to the politicians that they must act now and cut VAT on repair and maintenance work to 5 percent.

"By making repair work more affordable, the government can provide a great incentive for people to invest in existing buildings – something that has clear economic and social benefits for Scotland."

The Scottish Government’s Housing and Communities Minister, Alex Neil, said: "Reducing VAT on repair and maintenance work is an entirely reasonable request, which the Scottish Government has already asked the Chancellor to consider and hope he will adopt in his budget this month."

Michael Levack, Chief Executive of the Scottish Building Federation, added: "I'm delighted to give my backing to Rok’s Repairing Scotland e-petition. As an industry, we’ve campaigned long and hard for VAT on home building works to be cut to 5 percent. I hope that people power will lead the Chancellor to do the right thing and cut VAT on home repair and maintenance work to five percent."

People can sign the Downing Street e-petition for a reduction in VAT on repair work to 5 percent at: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/repairingbritain/. Rok is aiming to get 10,000 signatories by April 14, 2010.