CONSTRUCTION firms in Fermanagh are losing out on potential business because there are not enough joinery apprentices coming through locally to meet the needs of employers, a lecturer at South West College has warned.

Alan Bailie, who has lectured in joinery in Fermanagh for almost two decades, said that the numbers of apprentices at the local college is now “significantly less” than it was just five years ago.

Mr. Bailie said that, at one stage, the college would have had over 80 apprentice joiners – enough for four or five classes – but since then the numbers had “diminished” to just one class.

He said that this was simply not enough to satisfy the needs of all the employers looking for apprentices – and warned of the knock-on effect this will have for local people in the future.

“In five years’ time, it’s going to be very difficult to get somebody to hang a door,” the lecturer claimed.

When asked if he had any idea why there has been such a dramatic fall in numbers, Mr. Bailie replied: “Honestly, I don’t.”

But he added: “Is it because of people’s attitudes? There’s a perception out there that the building industry has gone down the tubes and had its day.

“What they don’t realise is that, because of that attitude, there is a real hole left in the building industry with very few apprentices coming through.

“There are more employers out there looking for students than students looking for employers. I could name 20 employers easily who would take on one or even two apprentices.”

Mr. Bailie insisted that there were plenty of opportunities available for joinery students and said that a change in mindset was required.

He said: “In many cases, it’s the parents. They tell their children they would be better off going into computers or technology instead of learning a trade.

“Another attitude comes from the schools, who are pushing more kids to stay on. They run courses studying the management system of running building sites.

“But it’s better learning a trade from the ground up. A hands-on approach makes more sense. You gain a better insight into how the industry is run that way.”

The lecturer said that, at one time, apprentices would have had to leave Fermanagh due to there not being an abundance of work, but he said that situation had changed.

“Now, there is more money in the public’s purse and they are wanting work done that maybe they postponed five years ago because of the economy.

“I know employers who are under serious pressure. They are having to work to 10pm each night as they can’t get anyone to learn the trade,” he said.

In a bid to make the joinery course more attractive, Mr. Bailie revealed that the college had started up a partnership with a local employer, JP Corry, to give an incentive to prospective students.

Under the scheme, JP Corry will sponsor vouchers that the apprentices can use to buy tools. One student will also be provided with a grant of £250 from the firm.

Urging more young people to consider joinery, the lecturer added: “I tell any potential students to get their qualification and learn a trade. This is your passport to working anywhere in the world.”

Workshop joiner, Neill Harron, who owns the local business Crafted, described the current shortage of apprentices as “desperate”.

The Enniskillen man said: “I would take on three trainees in the morning. There’s enough work for them.”

Although it hasn’t got to the stage where Mr. Harron is turning down jobs, he said, at the same time, he hasn’t looked for extra jobs.

“I could take on more work if I had more manpower,” he claimed.

Outlining the struggle to get suitably qualified employees, Mr. Harron said he had advertised for two jobs last year, a joiner and a fitter.

Of the 30 applicants who got in touch, only three were qualified. While he was able to get a fitter, he added that he couldn’t get anybody with enough experience to fill the joiner position.

Urging the government to provide better incentives for apprentices, Mr. Harron claimed that they were still getting the £40 allowance he received when he was learning the trade over 20 years ago.

He said: “There has to be an incentive for young fellas to make it interesting for them. The weekly allowance doesn’t reflect the rising cost of living.

“What would £40 a week buy them?

“Their lunch is going to cost maybe £5 to £8 a day alone.

“Twenty-two years ago, £40 would take you on a night out.

“Something needs to be done about it.”