Research released today by the Learning and Skills Council reveals that London builders earn well above the national average wage.
The survey found that the construction industry represents a lucrative career choice with the average wage for all building trades in London standing at £30,000 per year, well above the national average wage of £24,741. Carpenters and joiners are among the highest earners with an average annual income of nearly £34,000, followed closely by bricklayers, plasterers, roofers, electricians and plumbers. Research findings also show that London builders work on average 40 hours a week.
Laura Hayes, Federation of Master Builders (FMB) London regional director said: "Good builders can earn a decent living in London where demand for skills remains high."
However, the building industry in London faces a shortage of skilled people, according to figures from the FMB's latest State of Trade survey, which highlights carpenters, bricklayers and plumbers as the most difficult to find.
FMB figures also predict that workloads for London based builders will continue to grow in 2005, which means new recruits are in demand. Over a third (35%) of London building firms are willing to take on apprentices, who learn on the job through day release from college.
Vocational colleges in London are working hard with the industry to address the shortages and encourage school leavers in to building.
David Lewin, Head of Construction at Croydon College of Further and Higher Education said:
"We have seen an increase in applications across the board for all our building based vocational courses. We are planning to open up a new facility at the college to meet the increased demand. Vocational training provides people with life long transferable skills with traditional craft competences that have a higher value today than ever before."
Research undertaken last year by the FMB found that parents would be happier for their children to train for a vocation such as building rather than go to university.
Entering the building industry is definitely a choice favoured by many parents. When asked about their children's career paths, the research found they would rather their children chose the building profession over the police force, farming, retailing, journalism or catering - and would far prefer them entering the building profession rather than becoming estate agents.
First posted: 08 June 2005. Last modified: 08 June 2005.
|
