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This update builds on the 2010 Skills Provision Committee report by producing a view of training and education details specific to the construction sector from 2007 through to 2011 and where possible, data for 2012. There was a clear increase in overall numbers of qualification achievement from 2007 through to 2009, mainly due to increasing numbers in further education, however after 2009 there has been a sharp decline. In the short term the overall numbers of construction related training and education achievements look set to continue declining. This is indicated by the achievement and start trends for both further and higher education, with this decline being more noticeable for competence based and degree qualifications.

In terms of future work to improve the view of training and education supply for the construction sector, there are three main points that emerge. (1) New workers: What part do Level 1 qualifications have towards an entry route for workers in England and Wales? Does it equip people with the right skills that industry is looking for? (2) Existing workers: Training and education can never be solely focused on the training on new entrants, it also has to respond to the demand for training and career aspirations of existing workers in the sector. This is an important aspect given the high levels of self-employment in the sector along with over 95 per cent of employers being classed as small to medium sized enterprises. How to people develop their skills or keep them up to date as they progress? (3) Government support: There is a considerable amount of reform happening around further and higher education across all nations as they look to provide a structure that will deliver skills that will meet employer demand and deliver wider economic benefits. The analysis identifies that government support through the likes of public funding for learners has become increasingly important in recent years, however this is at a time of constraints on public finances. What is the future direction of support for learners?

Excerpts from published summary. Show less