BOSSES of Britain’s small building firms have slammed the government for failing to give assurances on funding apprenticeships which are vital to the construction industry’s future.

The government yesterday said responsibility for funding apprenticeships should be left with employers.

Brian Berry, chief executive of the Federation of Master Builders which represents small and medium-sized building firms, said the statement meant “the future of the construction industry hangs in the balance.”

He said: “If small and medium enterprise firms — particularly micro-firms — are asked to pay for apprenticeship training up front it will have a negative impact on cash-flow and increase levels of bureaucracy no matter how simple the system is.

“I urge government to think again and not to undermine the construction recovery which is tentatively moving in the right direction but could easily be set off course if we don’t have enough new skilled workers entering the industry.”