Building a future for Britain's young workers

Local authorities that have supported construction apprenticeships were rewarded with national recognition as APSE awarded three young people in the construction industry prestigious Apprentice of the Year Awards following programmes implemented by UK local authorities.

Presenting the awards, Paul O'Brien, APSE Chief Executive, said "At a time when the UK is struggling to recruit qualified construction workers local authorities that have invested in training young people, in the skills that a modern and vibrant nation needs, should be proud of the national example that they are setting to the rest of the public sector and indeed the construction industry".

The winners in each of the categories are:-

• Female housing and building apprentice of the year (sponsored by Construction Youth Trust) Winner :- Lorraine Clark, aged 21 of Fife Council, .
• Housing and building apprentice of the year - Building skills category (sponsored by UCATT) Winner:- Ryan Rebeiro, aged 20 Hackney Homes
• Housing and building apprentice of the year - Mechanical and electrical category (sponsored by HAYS) Winner :- John Shurmer, aged 19, from Swindon Borough Council,

Commenting on the need for more female apprentices Paul O'Brien added that whilst authorities had made great strides to recruit more women into the construction industry local authorities still needed " a seismic shift in attitudes to ensure more young females come into construction through the local authority apprenticeship route".

Does your Council have what it takes?

APSE Service Awards 2007 provides an opportunity for councils throughout the UK to show just how good they are. The service awards are free to enter so click for an application form to place your council or service into the running for the prestigious awards for 2007.

Lorraine Clark, Female housing and building apprentice of the year winner (sponsored by Construction Youth Trust)
John Shurmer, Housing and building apprentice of the year - Mechanical and electrical category (sponsored by HAYS)	Ryan Rebeiro, Housing and building apprentice of the year - Building skills category (sponsored by UCATT)

March 2007