Builder calls for easier finance

A construction industry leader is warning of huge fallout from the building downturn and calling for action on many fronts.

Richard Carver of Jennian Homes, which has built more than 10,000 places in three decades, wants the Government to address access to finance for building companies and house builders.

But he is also calling for his sector to become more professional.

Up to 60,000 jobs could be lost in the downturn, axing the futures of up to a third of the construction-related workforce, he predicted. The young would be worst-hit.

"Sadly the first to be laid off tend to be apprentices. This completely defeats the last 10 years' investment in building industry capability and training. For the first time in decades the industry was seeing the required number of young people enter the sector. Without incentives for companies to retain their apprentices, the future of the sector will be further eroded.

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Posted: 16 Feb 2009

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