This week is National Construction Week.

Forum Response: CITB-ConstructionSkills

A spokesperson for CITB-ConstructionSkills told ePolitix.com: "October 2002 saw over 63,000 young people get involved in 1,052 events of construction activities during National Construction Week.

"This year even more events are planned running form the 8th to the 15th of October we expect over 1200 events will take place from the Orkney Islands to Cornwall.

"Launched yesterday, the first day of National Construction Week, was the Construction Skills' 'Creative Spaces' competition for schools. The competition offers young people the chance to experience the excitement of working in construction while developing proposals to improve their own school environment.

"Aimed at key stage 3 pupils (11-14 year-olds), and supported by curriculum materials for the Design and Technology curriculum, the winning school will see their design become reality through £50,000 worth of building work, There are also further regional prizes of £3,000.

"National Construction Week is the industry's annual showcase, an opportunity to interest and enthuse young people in the excitement and variety of careers in construction. These careers vary from craft trades, such as bricklaying and carpentry to professions such as architecture and quantity surveying.

"If people are interested in finding out more about the competition they should log onto www.ncw.org.uk/creativespaces."

Forum Response: Construction Products Association

Jean Emblin, external affairs director of the Construction Products Association, told ePolitix.com: "There is a serious skills shortage in the construction industry and I am delighted that National Construction Week is once again concentrating its efforts on attracting young people into the industry.

"At a fringe meeting last week, Construction Minister Nigel Griffiths stressed the need to encourage more young people into the industry, particularly in view of the government's spending commitments and the important part that construction has to play in helping government deliver its targets.

"For the first time this year a competition has been launched - Creative Spaces - which offers schools the opportunity to experience the excitement and challenges of the construction industry.

Students (11-14 year-olds) are being asked to work in groups to put together plans to improve their school environment along with help from local and national mentors from the industry.

"The first prize of £50,000 worth of building work to bring the winning design to life is a wonderful incentive for both students and their teachers. I hope they take up the challenge."