THE managing director of Farnham Bros (Youldon and Barrett Ltd) in Yelverton has been appointed as chair of the recently formed South West Regional Construction Skills Group.

The new group has replaced the former South West Skills Forum and the South West Advisory Committee and will look at the demands and outputs of the construction industry in the area and prioritise the needs of the industry from a demand-led perspective.

Ken Farnham said he was extremely pleased to have been appointed chair of a group looking at the needs of the industry from an employer's view. An area he was keen on focussing on in coming months was apprenticeships and creating more employer places and funding for young people wanting to start a career in the industry.

'It is so important to have these young people coming in and training as they are the future of the construction industry,' he said.

For more information about the group, contact 0300 456 5833.