A construction firm believes so strongly in the modern apprenticeships scheme that it has formed a separate training arm and built a training centre.

Eastbourne-based Coney Brothers, which employs about 90 staff and contractors, has taken on 25 apprentices.

They will spend 18 months learning skills and gaining experience while giving the firm access to a new generation of qualified workers.

The apprentices joined in December but Coney Brothers, which specialises in plasterboard, dry-lining and plastering, first became interested in apprenticeships three years ago.

Managing director Nick Sherress said: "It got to the stage where we were just fed up with using sub-contractors.

"There were the same problems every year with people letting you down and these were making it extremely difficult for us to build our business in the way we wanted to.

"There's a massive shortage of qualified workers because people haven't been joining the industry for a long time and many contractors haven't shown any interest in training new staff."

The firm's training aspirations became reality when it linked up with the Sussex Learning and Skills Council (LSC) last year to provide Modern Apprenticeships (MAs).

Mr Sherress said: "MAs are an affordable and effective way to develop the kind of employees we need to stay in business."

The training arm is called East Sussex Drylining and Plastering Academy and the apprentices learn basic skills in the centre for the first few months before working on a site.

Mr Sherress said: "It's impossible to train someone on site. You can't take a new apprentice on a building site. The people there want everything done yesterday and they don't want anyone making mistakes.

"The workers don't have time to teach anyone so the apprentices don't have a chance to learn.

"By training them here we can get them to a competent standard.

"They won't be fantastic but they won't make mistakes. For them, the good news is they're employed from day one, earning money.

"It's a definitely a win-win situation for employers.

"We gain competent people who are rapidly able to make a contribution to our company and we even receive financial help towards the cost of training and assessment from the LSC."

Qualifications were essential for modern tradespeople.

He said: "The reason why the industry is in such a terrible state is that cowboys have given it a bad name. They've either done short courses or been trained by their mates and many of them have no real knowledge to speak of."

Apprentice Michael Cavalier, 20, from Eastbourne, was previously a plumber's mate.

He said: "I wanted to complete an apprenticeship but my last employer couldn't give me one and I heard about this.

"It's good fun, creative and you get lots of hands-on experience. Everyone here is professional and the training centre is fantastic. We've got a classroom and two floors to train on."

The only downside was that the apprentices were often too tired to go for a beer after work.

Mr Sherress said: "We have a number of people coming up to retirement age and the industry's going to need a large number of new staff in the next ten to 20 years. We don't give the apprentices 'pie-in-the-sky' figures but, with two years' experience, they should be earning about £20,000."

Sherry Ryan, workforce development manager at Sussex LSC, said: "Modern Apprenticeships work because, quite simply, the employer gets a better employee.

"It's a worthwhile investment for the future. A modest outlay of time and commitment is paid back with a far more productive and motivated member of the team."

There are more than 150 types of MAs available and the courses last between one and four years depending on the occupation and level of study.

If you would like to know more about MAs, you can:

Call 08000 150600
Contact the careers adviser at your school or college or at the local Careers Centre
Visit www.learndirect.co.uk where you'll find advice on career opportunities, skills and qualifications.