BUILDING bosses say the construction industry needs a fresh injection of young recruits.

Mr David Cairns, North-west regional chairman of the National Federation of Builders, said that the Federation was conducting a self-examination of training within the industry.

"We are determined to raise standards and lead a recruitment drive to convince young people that our industry offers an excellent career and has high professional standards," he said.

Mr Ted Wilmott, a former Chief Executive of the Construction Industry Training Board, told the Federation's recent annual meeting: "Your workforce is getting old."

He went on: "The industry is replenishing its workforce at only 50 per cent of the rate needed.

"Training organisations can only go so far in teaching young people the skills they need.

"The answer lies in building companies encouraging on-site training and exposing trainees to best practice at other sites."

Other recommendations put forward by Mr Wilmott included companies appointing "champions of training" who would lead training initiatives.

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