The firm’s have signed up to the Reskilling the Recovery campaign, which aims to raise over £1m to fund apprenticeship training for small businesses.

The campaign, run by the London Progression Collaboration, has been supported by the education secretary Gavin Williamson who has backed the effort to help smaller businesses after the pandemic.

Campaigners are calling on London’s large employers to pledge their unspent apprenticeship levy, so it can be transferred to London’s small businesses who need it most to support their recovery from the Covid-19 crisis.

Steve Watson, National Supply Chain Director of Willmott Dixon, said: “Our local, specialist supply chain is one of our biggest assets as we continue to deliver high-quality projects across London.

“We are therefore keen to support SMEs in the delivery of vital apprenticeships as the industry emerges from the challenges posed by Covid-19.”

Oscar Watkins, Construction Sector Lead for the London Progression Collaboration, said: “Our industry has a real opportunity to turn the tide of the Covid-19 Lockdown, making positive steps to get our economy back on track safely.

“If we do this the right way, we can support people back into work while making our businesses stronger and more resilient. But we must act now to take our skills crisis seriously, and to support London’s small businesses.”