CITB chief calls on apprentices to resist Canada move

The body in charge of UK construction training has urged jobseekers to resist the attractions of a career abroad after Canada relaxed its immigration rules to attract foreign construction apprentices.

His comments came after Canada relaxed its immigration rules in a bid to attract construction apprentices from overseas to tackle the country’s housing crisis.

The temporary measure, introduced earlier this month, will allow foreign apprentices to finish their studies in Canada without a study permit.

But Tim Balcon, chief executive of the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), told Construction News that potential UK trainees would benefit from staying put.

He said: “There are big opportunities both now and in the future for UK construction workers – the government aims to build 1.5 million new homes and approve 150 major infrastructure projects by the end of the decade.

“The opportunities aren’t just on the horizon, they’re in the here and now. If you want a well-paid, fulfilling career that teaches you valuable skills for life, then look no further than the UK construction industry.”

The new Canadian move comes after Balcon warned last year that young people needed easier entry routes into the UK sector to counter offers of work abroad.

“By removing this administrative barrier, apprentices will be able to gain the valuable skills they need to contribute to infrastructure projects more quickly,” Canada’s government said.

Marc Miller, the country’s immigration minister, added: “Canada’s construction industry is vital to support and sustain our country’s growth, and we need to bring in workers to meet the urgent need for skilled labour.”

Lucy Clarke, chief executive of recruitment firm Fixed Construction, said the Canada scheme was an “interesting initiative” and one the UK could learn from “particularly in the summer months”.

She told CN: “We see it with industries like farming where there are seasonal work visas, but it doesn’t happen with construction at the moment. I think it would be very successful if it did.”

However, she acknowledged that relaxing the rules was a “hard topic” as since Brexit, the issue of immigration has become “heavily politicised”.