The 1,400 construction wannabees will now have to fight-it-out for 75 places on Seddon’s training programme this year.

Seddon Construction director Nicola Hodkinson said: “The response reflects the campaign’s proactive approach to reaching young people with the right qualifications and attitude.

“It also demonstrates the sheer numbers of young people out there looking for a start in construction.

“The colleges are full of people on construction courses with no jobs to go to. In order for more employers to follow our lead, we’d like to see changes to the current funding arrangements which, in our view, are too complex.

“It would make sense for more funding to go directly to employers who, after all, are the people needed to deliver the vocational experience which colleges can’t provide.”

Seddon now plans to interview more than 500 applicants after 65% met the trade entry criteria required by CITB ConstructionSkills.

Seddon offers apprenticeships in trades including bricklaying, plumbing, plastering, carpentry and joinery, painting and decorating and maintenance.