The CITB must introduce reforms and become more representative of the small businesses that make up the majority of the construction sector, according to the just-published government review of industry training boards.
The long-awaited review, Building Support: the review of the Industry Training Boards, states that the government wants to see greater representation of people with direct experience of small business in charge of the CITB. It also calls for radical reforms in the way the CITB engages with industry to steer it from a “money in, money out” culture to “money in, skills out” approach to training.
The document also calls for the CITB to play a lead role in helping the industry to respond to the government’s ambitions for housing and to strengthen its links with housing associations, which have the potential to play a greater role in training construction workers.
The report concludes that while the CITB’s levy-raising powers is still the right model for the construction industry, overall reform and improvement is needed.
The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) said it welcomed the report and that training boards like the CITB must play an important role in supporting the sector as it faces the challenges of adapting to new technologies and an ageing workforce.
Andrew Wolstenholme, co-chair of the CLC, said: “The Construction Leadership Council welcomes the publication of the review, which sets a clear direction for the ITBs. The two Industry Training Boards have a vital role to play in delivering the skills the construction sector needs now and in the future.
“Whilst reform is needed to ensure the ITBs are more strategic and accountable to the industry, it is important that the industry works with both to drive these changes and to train our people in the skills we need to make the British construction industry the best in the world.”
Responding to the recommendations stated in the ITB review, CITB announced this morning it would introduce initiatives to be more streamlined, have more transparency and be better value for levy payers, with a reformed levy in, skills out grants scheme.
Restructuring of the CITB Council and National Committees is expected in early 2018.
Sarah Beale, chief executive of CITB, said: “The ITB review echoes what our industry has told us it wants from a future CITB. We fully support its conclusions.
“We’ve heard the calls for change loud and clear so now, we look ahead to some tough but vital decisions to become the ‘levy in, skills out’ organisation that our industry needs. I appreciate the backing of government and of industry as we start on the journey of transforming CITB.”
