<b><b>The construction industry needs to train 76,000 new recruits a year, every year. Housebuilders are presently training a paltry 2,700. So it is little wonder that the industry cannot find the labour it needs to build our homes. In this special feature Allison Heller assesses the full extent of the problem and talks to those striving to find a solution - including three apprentices learning their trade</b></b><br><b>&amp;“At the heart of training provision is the need for employers to understand that training is not a cost. It is an essential requirement of an efficient business. Of course it does cost, but so do labour, plant, materials and all the basic requirements of a construction business.</b><br> &amp;“With the increasing demand for qualified operatives, those who prefer to leave training to &amp;‘someone else&amp;’ may find &amp;‘someone else&amp;’ is now employing or retaining the most skilled site craftsman, which will then affect their ability to get any work in the first place.&amp;”<p></p><p> Sir Michael Latham&amp;’s view goes to the heart of an issue which has been brought to the fore in the housebuilding industry by skills deficits across the board, coupled with a severe housing supplyshortfall. </p><p><b><b>falling well short</b></b><br> Sir Michael is chairman of …