The Government’s chief inspector of adult learning has criticised the quality of training in the construction industry. David Sherlock said in his 2003/04 report that training in construction has “nose-dived”, and foundation apprenticeship success rates had fallen to 18 per cent, while advanced apprenticeship successes stood at just 31 per cent. The report also said the quality of work-based learning in colleges was worse than last year. Some learners were on courses that were inappropriate for their ability because of poor screening. Poor basic and key skills training is said to be an ongoing weakness in construction. But the inspectorate said there are signs of improvement this year, with a better diagnosis of literacy and numeracy support needs, Contract Journal reports.