The Scottish Building Federation has revealed that, by the end of August, more than 900 construction trainees and apprentices will have been made redundant since the same time last year.

According to Federation Chief Executive Michael Levack, the figures, collated from ConstructionSkills and Member Organisations, show the unprecedented challenges currently facing construction apprenticeships in Scotland, as the economic downturn continues to hit the construction industry hard.

Meanwhile, separate figures released today by independent construction apprenticeship registration body, the Scottish Building Apprenticeship and Training Council (SBATC), show that the number of new construction apprentices starting work since the beginning of 2009 is down more than 60% compared to the same period in 2008.

In the first half of 2008, the SBATC registered a total of 600 construction apprentices. However, the latest SBATC figures show that less than 200 new construction apprentices have started in an apprenticeship during the first half of 2009.

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SBF Chief Executive Michael Levack, who is also Employers' Secretary to the SBATC, said: "Struggling construction firms have been forced to lay off more than 900 trainees and apprentices over the past year and the number of new apprentices starting an apprenticeship so far in 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 has fallen by almost two thirds.

"There can be no doubt that Scottish construction, traditionally one of the Scottish economy’s largest recruiters of apprentices, is facing unprecedented challenges.”

Calling for additional Government action to support apprentices in the construction industry, he continued: "We've heard a lot of bold pledges recently from the Scottish Government about what it’s doing to create new apprenticeships across the economy in sectors such as retail and the creative industries and to support the Glasgow Commonwealth Games legacy.

"Scottish Ministers' continued focus on promoting new apprenticeship places is laudable. But a great deal more must be done to safeguard existing apprentices and apprenticeship places – particularly in strategically important industries like construction."

Mr Levack believes the Scottish Government should be helping struggling construction firms retain their existing apprentices and prevent them from being made redundant in the first place.

He concluded:"I hope today’s figures will reinforce that crucial message and promote a more proactive approach to safeguarding the jobs of thousands of existing trainees and apprentices employed by the Scottish building sector."

(GK/KMcA)