Workers for Olympics 'not sufficiently trained'
31/03/2008(15:29)
A construction union has said that young people being trained to work on the 2012 Olympic site will not be up to standards.
The industry requires many more workers for the construction of various sites for the games, but the Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians (Ucatt) has said that up to 1,000 workers will not be up to scratch, reports the Times.
Lord Leitch's recommendations for the industry say that an NVQ Level 3 is preferred for apprenticeships, which is the equivalent to two A-levels.
However, Ucatt says that that up to 90 per cent of the training will only be at NVQ Level 2 standards, the equivalent to three GCSEs grade A to C.
Alan Ritchie, Ucatt's general secretary, told the newspaper: "It’s disappointing. This country is crying out for young skilled construction workers. The Olympics are a golden opportunity, which is in danger of being missed."
The union says that a NVQ Level 2 trained person delivers only a few necessary skills, while a Level 3 candidate is a fully qualified craftsperson.
A recent meeting to hear the changes proposed by the London mayoral candidates for the construction industry identified skills shortages as a key area for improvement.
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