QUESTIONS have been raised over developers' roles in providing training for local people after a developer said it cannot afford to do much in the current economic climate.
The Oakwood Group's training and employment skills plan for its development at the former Pinewood garage site in Brighton Road, Coulsdon, comprises only two apprentices: one carpenter and one electrical.
The company says that is the maximum it can aim for amid "unquestionable financial constraints" without risking "the overall construction" of the 88 flats and six houses.
Matthew Arnold, Oakwood development manager, said Croydon Council had wanted the company to provide for "about 20" roles, which the project "could not bear".
He added: "Obviously there is a cost associated with this and the scheme is already sort of challenged in terms of viability."
He added "many" of the project's contractors were local businesses. The Sutton-based company also says the project will generate jobs once completed, through its commercial units and building management.
Paul Scott, Labour Woodside councillor and planning committee member, said the developer's plan – which it was asked to produce as part of its planning permission – was "short-sighted".
He said: "Penny-pinching in this sort of way, actually cutting back on giving young people the opportunity to develop a proper career, is mean and also very short-sighted.
"What it means is we will be in a situation like last time when the economy picks up and there won't be enough skilled traders, and the cost of getting a bricklayer or electrician will go up."
Ian Parker, Coulsdon Conservative councillor and chair of Croydon's Skills and Employment Group, said it was a matter of getting "the balance right".
He said: "Apprenticeships generally are for between one and four years so it is harder for small developers to make a commitment than it is for the bigger projects (Westfield/Hammerson being the obvious local example) that take longer to develop. But there are ways round this and we should encourage developers to think outside the box."
