To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what assessment he has made of the skills need forecast made by ConstructionSkills in 2005 of the number of recruits to the construction industry required in each year to 2010; and what steps he (a) has taken and (b) plans to take in response. (197495)

Forecast data by ConstructionSkills anticipates that to meet the demand for new workers the construction industry in England will need to recruit 74,340 people per annum between 2008 and 2012. The Construction Industry has responded very positively to the Government's Skills Pledge, with over 1,000 employers already committed. For apprenticeships, the aim is to double the number of apprenticeships in the sector to 20,000 by 2012. The National Skills Academy for Construction was launched in 2007 and has a major programme of activities working with employers across England. The number of Inspire scholarships, offering support to individuals studying for a Built Environment degree, has increased this year to 300. Together these initiatives will make a strong contribution to help meet the skill needs of the sector.