MORE people are being encouraged to take up a career in construction to avert a looming skills crisis.

Kent County Council and its partners have launched a Construction Labour in Kent (CLIK) initiative to make it easier for people to find out more.

It includes a new website www.kent.gov.uk/working/construction that lists sites, training programmes and other opportunities.

More than 40,000 people work in the sector in Kent and Medway. But their average age is just under 50 and only 11 per cent are under 24. This age profile will pose a serious problem for the county as it gears up for an explosion in building.

Around 100,000 new homes are earmarked for the county over the next 20 years, and there are plans for major commercial construction projects. The Olympic Games in 2012 will also syphon skills from the county.

CLIK was launched at Kenward House, a charity that helps people to give up drink and drug abuse addiction. The organisation, based at Yalding, is currently building an £860,000 new wing, using Maidstone-based firm Crispin and Borst and local materials.

Paul Carter, KCC leader, launched CLIK, saying it was an exciting new initiative. "The challenge for the industry is to create a sustainable skilled workforce," he said.

That was why KCC was setting up pre-vocational centres in schools across the county. The council was also entering employment charters with builders and developers to guarantee the use of local labour and materials, with a strong commitment to local training.

"There has never been a better time to be in the construction industry here in Kent, with all the opportunities," Mr Carter added.