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Press Release

Published: April 14, 2023

Earlier this week (11th April), CITB published its latest Business Plan committing to support the construction industry through a series of initiatives responding to the challenges facing businesses from across the sector.

The Industry Impact Fund invites CITB-registered employers to apply for up to £500,000, targeting ‘big picture thinkers’ who have innovative solutions to skills and training challenges relevant to productivity, equality, diversity, and inclusion.

The fund is one of many initiatives detailed within the plan that CITB claims ‘will put employers in the driving seat and provide the opportunity for a greater say on the best solutions for tackling some of the biggest skills challenges’.

The plan details how CITB intends to continue supporting the industry to have a skilled, competent, and inclusive workforce now and in the future focussing on three priorities – improving construction’s people pipeline, creating defined training pathways and delivering an efficient training supply.

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 £20m 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.”

Robert Candy, Scaffolding Association Chief Executive, said: “We are very supportive of  CITB investing more of levy payers’ money into the areas that need it the most. Over the past 18 months we have been working very closely with CITB and have regular dialogue with Chief Executive Tim Balcon and several others from across the organisation. We look forward to developing this relationship further to ensure that the scaffolding and access sector can access its fair share of available funds”.

You can view the CITB Business Plan here.

ENDS

Notes for editors

The Scaffolding Association is the UK’s largest dedicated trade association representing the Scaffolding and Access industry.

The construction sector employs 2.7millon people, contributes over £100bn to the UK economy which is 7% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Press Contact: Chris Seaton – [email protected] or 07979 531464.