School-leavers across York, North and East Yorkshire awaiting their GCSE and A-level results are being urged to join the construction industry.

Industry experts are worried that the increasing average age of construction workers in the region will leave the industry severely depleted when they retire.

New findings from the CITB, the Industry Training Board and Sector Skills Council for construction, show that 18 per cent of local construction workers are between 45 and 54 and will retire within the next five to ten years.

CITB’s Construction Skills Network forecasts that more than 29,000 workers will be required each year for the coming years to meet demand.

Steve Housden, sector strategy manager for CITB in Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “We are facing a potential skills time-bomb, so we urge local young people to consider construction as one of their options as they think about taking their next step.”

Students are due to receive their A-level results on Thursday and their GCSE results on August 22.

Robert Dixon, 25, of Thirsk, who left school following his GCSEs to undertake a construction apprenticeship, has since worked abroad and owned his own business.

He said: “The great thing about the job is that it opens up so many doors to other trades. You can even be an architect once you have the qualifications.

“It’s such a vibrant and busy industry to be in and you can even work abroad.

‘‘I worked in France for six months rendering swimming pools.”

After completing an advanced apprenticeship in plastering and tiling at Leeds College of Building, Robert ran his own business for three years.

He now works as a builder and joiner.

Construction offers a wide range of careers which includes everything from a bedroom, kitchen and bathroom fitter to a civil engineer.

CITB also offers apprenticeships, branded outstanding by their latest Ofsted report. For more information, visit citb.co.uk/careers-in-construction