A RECRUITMENT campaign has been launched to attract 12,500 of the region's young people to the construction industry to meet a shortfall.

With A-levels out, the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has launched the Positive Image campaign.

About 380,000 people need to be recruited across the UK by December 2006 to meet growth targets and replace those leaving the industry.

Through an advertising campaign, CITB hopes to highlight the benefits of the industry to people aged between 14 and 19.

Construction is the country's biggest employer, with two million people working in the industry.

Max Hamps, area manager of CITB, said: "Positive Image is a campaign designed to help young people understand modern construction and the wide variety of career options available to them.

"Recent research has shown an encouraging increase in the number of young people applying for craft apprenticeships."

Advertising will tie-in with a programme of school visits and events that culminate in National Construction Week, from October 8.

For more information, visit www.bconstructive.co.uk