Post-16 campus delay disappointing, builders say

Deputies voted not to fund the post-16 campus at Les Ozouets through new borrowing

Training for construction apprentices in Guernsey could stop due to a lack of suitable classrooms, industry representatives say.

It comes after a decision to delay the building of a new post-16 campus at Les Ozouets.

Deputies voted to proceed with the project, but decided not to fund the project through new borrowing.

John Bampkin, chair of the Guernsey Construction Forum, said the future was uncertain for the training of new construction apprentices.

Mr Bampkin said weather damage to some of the Guernsey Institute's building meant apprentices were being trained in a temporary facility.

But he said the temporary facility "is in danger of being taken out as well".

"So they won't be able to do enough training for the apprentices they need on the island," he said.

"It's a very disappointing situation to turn around to youngsters and say we don't have the capability to educate you to the way you'd like to be educated."

Steve Roussel, from the Guernsey Building Trades Employers Association, said the lack of funding for a new campus was "really disappointing".

He said the availability of apprentice places was failing to keep up with demand.

"Numbers are up significantly," he said.

"Local firms have been wanting to take on apprentices, and they have been, but one of the limitations is the number of places on the apprenticeship scheme, so the new institute was going to help solve that."

Educational leaders reacted with dismay to the decision to halt the project, with Guernsey Institute executive principal Jacki Hughes saying it would leave children learning in "sub-standard facilities for the foreseeable".

Previously, Deputy Andrea Dudley-Owen, the president of the Committee for Education, Sport & Culture, said the committee was "very disappointed by the decision of the assembly, which stops the much-needed and long overdue investment in post-16 education".