A cross-party group of parliamentarians from both houses are launching an inquiry into examples of youth employment and training which have come out of construction and housing investment.
The inquiry is inviting evidence from construction clients – including local authorities and housing associations, construction companies and other relevant stakeholders – who can shed light on the barriers to employing young people and training, what changes in policy and practice would help improve the situation and examples of best practice.
It is being jointly chaired by Lord Richard Best and ex-housing minister Nick Raynsford, with MPs Peter Aldous, Susan Kramer, Annette Brooke and Angela Smith also involved.
Lord Best said: ‘We are expecting to see extra investment into new homes and infrastructure projects over the months ahead. But how can we ensure that the UK’s £100 billion construction investment will lead to new jobs and new skills for the growing army of unemployed young people in this country?
‘With an unprecedented 1 million young people in England not in employment, education or training, our inquiry is an attempt to secure two benefits from a growth in construction: not just new homes and better infrastructure, but training and employment for these 16 to 24-year-olds currently facing a bleak future.’
The inquiry is being supported by the Chartered Institute of Building, the Construction Industry Training Board and several charities involved in getting young people into construction work.
Some of the possible evidence could include levering spending power, improving mechanisms for employment and training through the supply chain and what works best for young people.
Evidence needs to be submitted by 18 September and people will be invited to give oral evidence during sessions in October and November. The report is expected to be published at the end of January 2014 at a House of Commons reception.