Workers in the process of building London’s Olympic Games facilities will effectively be deskilled because their training falls short of government recommendations, according to the main construction union.

Ucatt says that almost all the training available to more than 1,000 local young people will be set to lower standards than those recommended by the Leitch report into skills.

Up to 90 per cent of training will be to NVQ Level 2. Leitch and the other recent reform - World Class Apprenticeships: Unlocking Talent, Building Skills for All - call for more apprenticeships to be NVQ Level 3. Level 2 is the equivalent of four GCSEs grade A-C, while Level 3 is the equivalent of two A-levels. Ucatt says that the difference in the building industry is that Level 3 produces a fully qualified craftsperson but Level 2 delivers only a few necessary skills.

Alan Ritchie, Ucatt’s general secretary, said: “It’s disappointing. This country is crying out for young skilled construction workers. The Olympics are a golden opportunity, which is in danger of being missed.”

Harry Cohen, Labour MP for Leyton and Wanstead, which includes part of the Olympics complex, said: “These policies are a step backwards.”

However, John Armit, chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority, said: “The areas around the Olympic site in East London have high levels of unemployment and the 2012 Games can help change this. That is why our strategy is focused on getting people on to the first level of training and into work.”

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