The island is facing a skills shortage and apprenticeships could help to alleviate that, the University College Isle of Man says.

Eight-five per cent of students currently studying construction related courses at UCM are on an apprenticeship scheme.

Alan Clague, the president of the Construction Federation said: ’We have been predicting a skills shortage in all trade areas and technical professions, such as architects, quantity surveyors and engineers. This means that the sector offers so many career opportunities.’

This year, almost 300 students at UCM are studying a construction-related course and the recent enrolment numbers have risen a 42% compared to last year.

’It is positive to see so many young people realising the gains of working in construction,’ Alan added.

Corelli Bentham, the head of the construction programme area at UCM, said that she was pleased with the student numbers, but still felt that there was much that needs to be done to alter the public’s perception of the sector.

She said that construction had always been viewed as a secondary sector and that occupations in construction had long suffered from misleading stereotyping and inaccurate assumptions, such as it being dangerous, physically demanding and that it does not pay well.

’The fact is, the construction sector is the backbone of the Isle of Man’s economy, because without roads, houses, schools or offices other sectors cannot exist or flourish,’ she said.

’The jobs in construction are diverse and offer rewarding opportunities for those who want to help build the world around them,’

Jake Lindon, a UCM student who is currently working part-time at Stewart Clague Services, enrolled on the multi skills course at UCM in September.

Through this course, he is given the opportunity to try out six different trades within construction.

’I am really enjoying the course as it gives me a chance to try out different jobs from plumbing, brickwork, painting & decorating to electrical installation, carpentry and joinery and horticulture.

’These trades challenge me in different ways and out of all of them I like electrical trade the most as it suits me best.’

He added: ’I’m finding that I can directly apply the knowledge and skills that I am learning at UCM at work, which is really satisfying.’

UCM says that its links with the construction industry ensure that students are equipped with the necessary knowledge and aptitude to compete in the job market.

Collaboration with the sector also means that employers are aware of the newly qualified tradespeople graduating from UCM, which has an extremely positive impact on its students’ employment prospects.