Training body ConstructionSkills has warned that up to 2,000 apprentices are at risk of losing their job this year.

However, recruiters say public sector schemes will provide opportunities.

Richard Toy, head of operations at construction and technical recruiter SkyBlue, told Recruiter: “Many apprentices who were part way through their training are now out of work, without the qualifications or experience to get jobs directly. However, it’s not all doom and gloom, as the government invests in the public sector these contracts have a clause committing contractors to the employment, training and development of local people.

“With the support of government initiatives we now have an increasing amount of apprenticeship and training programmes geared towards the civil engineering and major construction arena, that is also seeing a positive increase in the number of ethnic, disabled and female candidates entering the industry.”