The Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB), an organisation dedicated to attracting, training and retaining employees in engineering construction, has hailed 2007 as its most successful year to-date.

The industry currently generates a £16b turnover, equating to 1.5 per cent of the UK’s GDP. A total of £18.8m was invested by the ECITB last year in skills development and training programmes for engineering construction employers.

Highlights of its success in 2007 included:

· A record 614 new apprentices registered with 158 companies (a 300 per cent increase on 2006)

· TECSkills (Training in Engineering Construction Skills) attracted 544 new learners in 24 companies

· 2,200 employees signed up to over 70 purpose designed professional courses, known as Technical Supervisory and Management Programmes or (TS&MP), teaching a range of industry relevant skills

· More than 600 people supported by ECITB Regional Discretionary Grants in 63 companies across the regions

· The ‘Construct your life, Engineer your Future’ roadshow was a huge success reaching 30,000 schoolchildren in England, Scotland and Wales

· Engagement with employers rose by 30 per cent and satisfaction improved by 11 per cent

· 2,000 ACE cards awarded and 50,000 learners achieved the ECITB CCNSG Safety Passport

· Network of centres approved to award ECITB qualifications has increased to 62 with 16 trained in the use of the paperless portfolio

· Launch of the 14-19 Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment

Tony Featherstone, ECITB operations director, said: “These figures demonstrate the substantial progress the ECITB is making in equipping the industry with the necessary number of highly skilled workers for the long term.