The trade body said the increase in attendance grants to £2,500 per year will help employers meet the industry’s future skills requirements.

From the 1st April, achievement grants will also rise to £3,500 for companies where an apprentice successfully completes their training.

For a four-year apprenticeship in Scotland, this equates to a 30% increase in funding, rising from £10,250 to £14,500.

Scottish Building Federation president Stephen Kemp, managing director of Orkney Builders, said: “A 30% increase in grant funding for construction industry apprentices is hugely welcome and provides an important incentive for employers to take on more apprentices to help meet the current and future skills requirements of the industry.

“At the same time, we have been disappointed by the recent decision to close CITB’s National Construction College at Inchinnan and to relocate staff to England. Scottish employers want to see a stronger commitment from CITB to retaining a significant footprint in Scotland so that, working together, we can tackle future challenges and embrace future opportunities that the industry undoubtedly faces.”

Scottish Building Federation managing director, Vaughan Hart, added: “At a time when the Scottish construction industry is facing the growing challenge of an ageing workforce and a shortage of suitably skilled workers to address identified skills gaps, SBF members will be very pleased to see a commitment from CITB to additional funding for construction apprenticeships.

“We want to see that commitment matched by on-the-ground support from CITB here in Scotland to encourage more young people to consider a career in construction and attract more fresh talent into the industry.”