KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
28th January 2021
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A positive outcome of this week's Comprehensive Spending Review is what Chancellor George Osborne announced is the "largest ever investment in apprenticeships by a government" - the promise of a 50% rise in funding, taking it to some £250 million a year, with the aim of recruiting 75,000 new apprentices by 2014.
I do hope that a large chunk of this funding is going to be earmarked for those wishing to enter the building trades in a way that will make learning a trade more accessible.
Having young daughters I've come across quite a number of their friends who, rather than going to university, have wanted to learn a building trade but have been unable to find a way into the industry.
One went along to a plumbing training centre that advertises heavily in local newspapers nationwide but was put off by the enormous personal financial investment that was required to complete the course. How on earth those just leaving school are supposed to find the money I have no idea!
No wonder this organisation - and others like it - has to advertise so heavily... Perhaps if they charged less for their courses they wouldn't need to advertise so much, as word-of-mouth recommendation would get them all the applicants they need!
I feel that were consumers confident that they would be able to find good, trustworthy, hard-working, honest and competent tradespeople to look after their projects, they would be far more likely to invest in a new kitchen or bathroom. I know from personal experience that the fear of poor workmanship and all the hassle that this involves, is a real deterrent to those wanting to refurbish their homes!
And try finding a good gas fitter at this time of year, who can sort out your heating this week rather than next, without charging an exorbitant sum...
Yours,
22nd October 2010