A HOUSEBUILDER with a scheme in Keighley is urging young people to consider a career in surveying to help tackle a construction industry skills shortage.

Barratt Developments Yorkshire West says quantity surveying plays a vital part in the housebuilding cycle.

Commercial director Martin Purdy said: "It is a much-needed skill and a valued profession within our industry.

"Our team of quantity surveyors is involved from the inception of a build all the way through to post-completion.

"The Government is suggesting we need to build 200,000 homes a year to provide enough housing for the population, but this will never be delivered without investment in the construction talent of the future.

"We always look to develop staff and a number of our surveyors have progressed within our organisation from school leavers through to the roles they're in today.

"Our apprenticeship programme has won a number of awards in recent years."

Barratt schemes include Vision, in North Dean Avenue, Braithwaite.