The economic downturn has had a dramatic effect on construction apprenticeship numbers in Scotland but the industry is starting to turn the corner with more apprentices registered last year than in 2010.

That was the key message from the Scottish Building Apprenticeship and Training Council (SBATC), the body responsible for regulating and monitoring the working conditions, recruitment and training of Scottish construction apprentices, as it released new registration figures to coincide with the start of Scottish Apprenticeship Week today.

The figures show that, between 2007 and 2010, the number of apprentices registered annually by the SBATC dropped by 52% from 2,758 in 2007 to 1,325 in 2010, reflecting the huge impact the recession has had on the Scottish construction sector.

But registrations in 2011 suggest apprentice numbers may finally be starting to stabilise with 53 more construction apprentices registered by the SBATC last year than in 2010.

SBATC will be marking Scottish Apprenticeship Week this week by jointly hosting a dedicated event with ConstructionSkills at Edinburgh Castle on Thursday the 24th May. At the event, keynote speaker and Scottish Youth Employment Minister Angela Constance will officially launch the search for the 2012 SBATC Apprentice of the Year.

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Now in their thirteenth year, the SBATC Apprenticeship Awards are unique in recognising the talents of Scottish construction apprentices working in the traditional craft trades such as joinery, plastering and bricklaying. Last year, Kenny McAllister, a trainee plasterer from East Kilbride was named Apprentice of the Year and presented with his award at a special ceremony at the Scottish Parliament.

Following a prolonged period of falling numbers, the SBATC is keen to stress the crucial contribution the construction industry continues to make in providing high quality apprenticeship opportunities for a large number of young Scots. Official figures from Skills Development Scotland show 5,799 modern apprentices in training in construction during 2010-11, making it still the most popular modern apprenticeship framework. Meanwhile apprentice plumbers, electricians, and builders made up 29% of the total number of modern apprentices in training in Scotland during that period.

Michael Levack, Scottish Building Federation Chief Executive and Employers’ Secretary for the Scottish Building Apprenticeship and Training Council (SBATC), said: "It's really important that we recognise the skills, talent and dedication of all of the many thousands of apprentices currently in training in Scotland.

"It is particularly important that we recognise the vital contribution that construction employers continue to make in offering so many young people the opportunity to develop specialist skills and to pursue a rewarding career in a strategically important sector of the Scottish economy.

"Despite the ravages of the economic downturn, the apprenticeship opportunities offered by the construction sector remain crucial – particularly at a time when the country is facing record levels of youth unemployment. And with business failures at a record level, the proportion of employers within the construction industry engaging apprentices has held up remarkably well.

"As apprentice numbers stabilise, there’s clear evidence that construction employers are fully committed to offering new opportunities and attracting new blood into the industry. We are ambitious about the future and I look forward to a time when we can start to rebuild apprentice numbers back to the levels we enjoyed some five years ago. In the meantime, Scottish Apprenticeship Week offers the perfect opportunity to celebrate the achievements of Scotland’s apprentices – both in the construction industry and throughout the economy as a whole."

(CD)