A long-term plan and additional funding is needed to create more placements for young people within the construction industry, according to one housing association boss.
Iwan Trefor Jones, chief executive at Adra, said it was important that organisations worked together to make sure “that there are opportunities for young people”.
Adra had seen a rise in demand in its academy scheme, with one of their recent openings attracting 108 applicants for only six positions.
The Welsh government said work was already under way “to boost construction skills” and new apprenticeships were set to launch later in the year.
Recent analysis by the Federation of Master Builders showed that the construction sector was facing a shortfall of labour and that it needed an additional 2,200 workers a year in order to meet demand.
Steven Walker, a construction manager with Williams Homes, said it was “really important” that more young people came into the construction industry.
“We have an ageing workforce across the country” he said. “It’s really important that young people are being pushed through to be work ready to be the next generation of construction workers”.
There was always room for more workers, he mentioned.
“We can always create the space for young people to come and work on our construction sites.
“We buddy them up with an experienced worker, we show them the ropes, we give them the training, we look after them, we interview them regularly to see that they’re OK and that they’re looked after.”