TRAINING courses have been launched to help building industry workers who are out of work or self-employed but struggling to win new business.

The field of insulated render has been hit by a shortage of experienced labourers. Now Holmfirth-based rendering contractor Allwall UK is offering intensive courses at its new training centre.

Director Sally Kelly said: “The need for contractors to apply external wall insulation looks set to increase as the government launches its new initiative to help households and companies make energy-saving improvements in their homes and businesses. “There is a desperate shortfall of contractors able to apply external render and insulation and yet many construction workers are sitting at home waiting for the market to improve or leaving the industry altogether.”