In his speech to the Trades Union Congress, Mr Denham gave details of a package of measures to support the construction industry to meet the demand for skilled workers both now and in the future.

He confirmed the Government's commitment, signed with employers, to support over 40,000 apprentices by 2012. He recognised that there will be high demand for new skilled construction workers across the sector for the future, despite current difficulties in house building. To help meet this demand Mr Denham announced:

* A new 'Clearing House' established with Construction Skills, to ensure that where apprentices are at risk of redundancy because of the more challenging economic circumstances they can be matched with employers needing new staff elsewhere. Helping ensure more apprentices complete their training.

* The creation of a new 'Construction Task Force' made up of key sector employers and unions to advise Government on longer term issues around expanding construction apprenticeships and improving skill levels.

* The Government will take further steps to use the power of Government contracts, to ensure that firms that benefit from them ensure they train and skill more staff.

* Together with the Department for Work and Pensions and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, a new 'Energy Efficiency Employment' (EEE) Initiative which will match people made redundant from the contracting house building industry with employment opportunities insulating homes and businesses and improving energy efficiency across the country.

In his speech, Mr Denham said:

"These are times of real change. We know that there are great difficulties but also real opportunities.

"Take construction. The industry today is experiencing great difficulties in house building. But look just a few years into the future; we know that we will need many more skilled people working in construction than we have today.

"In part this is because of Government investment. In the Olympics, in Crossrail, in housing as well as in new schools, colleges and hospitals. And in part, as the government sets the framework for new jobs in energy; from nuclear to renewable. All of this will demand more, not fewer, skilled people."