Multi-million-pound building projects in Bradford are helping to create a buoyant construction market throughout Yorkshire.

The message comes from ConstructionSkills, the sector skills council for the industry.

The body has listed the £350 million Bradford Channel project and £300 million Broadway development as two of the top ten for 2007, alongside schemes like widening the M62 and redeveloping Hull rail station.

The Bradford Channel project will consist of top-quality apartments along with shops, bars and offices, while Broadway is a new shopping centre with room for flats and parking.

The projects are part of a wider programme of more than £11.5 billion-worth of construction work in the Yorkshire and Humber region.

The news comes at a time when ConstructionSkills is seeking to ensure that Bradford's construction companies are adequately providing their staff with the skills needed to do the job.

The body estimates construction companies lose an average of £1,700 a year as a result of errors caused by failure to provide proper staff training.

ConstructionSkills area manager Ken Parker said: "The future in the construction industry looks healthy and it is those companies who have staff with the right skills, in the right place, at the right time who stand to capitalise most - and investing in training is the only way to guarantee that.

"In order to maximise their business potential we would urge construction businesses of all sizes to start thinking about up-skilling and qualifying their staff, and training up new recruits. Their businesses can only benefit in the future."

As previously reported in the Telegraph & Argus, Bradford regeneration projects are being used to entice young people into the construction industry.

ConstructionSkills, hopes to use developments such as that of Eastbrook Hall on Hall Ings and Victoria Mills in Shipley to inspire the next generation of architects, plasterers, electricians and site managers in the region.

e-mail: mark.casci@bradford.newsquest.co.uk