Carillion apprentices are the victims of latest wave of redundancies

It has been revealed that almost all of the 356 Carillion redundancies last week were apprentices with the construction giant.

Around one-third of the remaining staff at Carillion were made redundant by the Official Receiver, more than six months after the construction giant entered liquidation.

Of the 356 redundancies, 341 were apprentices – a move described as an act of “crass stupidity” by the union Unite.

The total number of redundancies from Carillion’s collapse now stands at 2,778 – around 15% of the workforce.

In a statement, the Official Receiver said: “Regretably, 356 people will be leaving the business as their roles are no longer required but support is available to help them find new work.

“Staff have been professional throughout the liquidation and we will continue to engage with staff, their elected representatives and unions as arrangements are confirmed.”

There are now around 650 people still retained to deliver the remaining services Carillion is providing for public and private sector customers until decisions are taken to transfer or cease its remaining contracts.

13,516 Carillion employees have had their roles transferred to new suppliers while a further 1,277 people have left the business of their own accord.

Wolverhampton-based Carillion collapsed in January and it is the subject of several investigations looking to establish the causes and blame.

Its failure has had a major impact on the delivery of the Midland Metropolitan Hospital development, which remains stalled, while the Paradise development in Birmingham city centre was also affected, although the delivery of the first building One Chamberlain Square is expected to only be slightly behind schedule.