THE Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has announced that it has completed the roll-out employer networks across the UK.
The initiative, which has been running as a pilot since 2022, aims to ensure that funding decisions are led by employers and supported by CITB, thus better meeting the needs of the construction industry.
CITB explained that the employer networks give companies a direct channel to communicate their training needs and advise on how funding should be prioritised and allocated in their local area. Additionally, they enable CITB to be more responsive to industry needs on both local and national levels.
By encouraging greater dialogue with employers and removing barriers to engagement with training, the employer networks help address the skills gap and build a stronger future for the industry.
Following the pilot phase in 2022, Employer Networks have been rolled out across the UK due to their success in helping more employers train and support their workforce. In the pilot alone, over 1,000 businesses have benefited from the employer networks – with 86% of employers reporting that accessing training was simpler through the Networks.
Deb Madden, executive director for nations engagement at CITB, said, “It’s vital we have a firm grasp of what skills are required and where they’re needed across the country. employer networks have proved hugely successful both for employers and CITB and we’ve now rolled out 33 across Great Britain.
“There is an increasing demand for construction work in the UK, and construction employers are clearly aware of the opportunity and the need for training, with 80% of employers indicating they plan to increase their training efforts in the future. We’re always striving to improve our services and embed a culture of quality into what we do – employer networks are a prime example of this and form part of a broader programme of development.”
Tony Hateley, MD at T H Developments UK Ltd, added,, “At T H Developments we’ve long recognised the importance of training and upskilling staff. With CITB’s employer networks, we have managed to secure training for our staff with a new training provider within a very short lead time. I would recommend any CITB member to contact their adviser as soon as possible and make use of this tremendous tool.”
