'Building is a great career, not a last resort'

Chris Carr, of the Federation of Master Builders, says Lincolnshire should bid for a new training college

A building industry leader is calling for more people to consider a career in construction work.

Chris Carr, the Grimsby-based president of the Federation of Master Builders, said it was time to stop thinking about the sector as a "last resort".

The Construction Industry Training Board has said the UK needs more than 250,000 extra workers by 2028.

"We need to educate the parents to understand that it's a great career to have," Mr Carr said.

Other European countries had a higher opinion of tradespeople, but "in the UK it's still seen as not a great place to be", Mr Carr added.

"I think if you look at the schools they see it as a career of last resort."

The government recently announced a £600m investment over the next four years to train up to 60,000 more skilled construction workers.

More than 250,000 extra building workers will be needed by 2028

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said a lack of skilled workers was a "major barrier" to the government plans to grow the economy.

"These measures will break down barriers to opportunity for thousands of young people, helping them to thrive in – and build – their local communities," she said.

The plans include "skills bootcamps" and 10 new technical excellence colleges.

Mr Carr said Lincolnshire should be bidding to host one of the new colleges.

"We've got a great ability, we've got some great schools that can teach and send young pupils through," he said.

"Make it a career destination, not just a career of last resort."

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