THE Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has set out three core priorities in its newly published business plan.
Improving construction’s people pipeline, creating defined training pathways, and delivering an efficient training supply have been set out in the plan.
A newly launched Industry Impact Fund invites CITB-registered employers to apply for up to £500,000. CITB explained that the fund targets ‘big picture thinkers’ who have solutions to skills and training challenges relating to productivity, equality, diversity, and inclusion.
The fund is one of the initiatives outlined in the plan that aims to give employers the opportunity to have a greater say on the best solutions for tackling skills challenges.
CITB’s latest Construction Skills Network report showed that just under 45,000 extra workers are needed annually to meet demand from now until 2027. CITB revealed it will invest an additional £8.2 million in new initiatives for 2023-24, including building on and enhancing existing products such as Go Construct and Onsite Experience hubs, take the hassle out of hiring apprentices by introducing the New Entrant Employer Support Team, and continue to invest in future talent with a further £63 million available through the Apprenticeship Attendance and Achievement Grants.
To help create defined training pathways, the organisation said it will work with the Scottish and Welsh governments to influence apprenticeships including collaborating with Skills Development Scotland, produce nine qualification and training pathways covering the most in demand trades, and address new ways of working by continuing research into modern methods of construction and developing competence frameworks to meet the requirements of the Building Safety Act.
To improve the quality of training provision available, CITB added that it will invest over £100 million into the grants scheme in the coming year including doubling the short course grant rates to between £60 and £240, expand the network of recognised training providers, invest almost £30 million into the National Construction College (NCC) to develop the facilities and quality of training, and continue to invest in leadership and management training, with 10,000 people set to receive training this year.
Tim Balcon, CITB chief executive, said, “I’m delighted to present our new business plan today, which aims to put employers in the driving seat by making the skills system work more efficiently for them. This year we are focusing on three core priorities and have increased investment by nearly £20 million to ensure the right initiatives and funding are in place.
“Construction is an industry full of opportunity and I feel hugely encouraged by forecasts of a predicted upturn in 2024. I’m particularly excited to unveil our innovative new Industry Impact Fund, alongside our business plan today. This fund will help employers in multiple ways but ultimately, it will empower them to have a greater say on construction training.”
