Tim Balcon, Chief Executive of CITB, recently attended a Build UK Forum to give an overview of the CITB Business Plan 2023/24 and what has been delivered since the last Consensus in 2021. In line with Build UK’s ‘Levy In ‐ Skills Out’ response, CITB has streamlined activity and its latest business plan sets out three key priorities ‐ improving construction’s people pipeline, creating defined training pathways, and delivering an efficient training supply ‐ to support the industry to have a skilled, competent and inclusive workforce now and in the future.

The Department for Education (DfE) has launched an independent review of CITB and ECITB to assess whether they are performing effectively and delivering services that meet the needs of the industry. The review is being led by Mark Farmer, and Build UK Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol has been invited to join the ‘Challenge Panel’, which is expected to meet at least twice during the review to discuss emerging evidence, interim findings and final conclusions.

CITB has published its latest Migration and Construction report focussing on how the industry has responded to the introduction of the Points‐Based Immigration System (PBIS). Under this system, businesses recruiting workers from outside the UK need to obtain a sponsor licence and all such workers require a visa to work in the UK, with the exception of Irish citizens and EEA/Swiss nationals with EU Settled Status. The report highlights a lack of awareness of the system, with just half of employers surveyed being aware of it and only 7% having signed up as a licensed sponsor.

Under the PBIS, most workers from outside the UK in construction are ‘skilled workers’ and require a Skilled Worker visa to work in an eligible occupation. Build UK's flowchart provides an overview of the process of employing a worker from outside the UK, with detailed guidance on How to Get a Sponsor Licence and How to Get a Skilled Worker Visa.

CITB has announced the appointment of Tim Balcon as its new Chief Executive from 1 September, replacing Sarah Beale who leaves at the end of September. Having begun his career as an apprentice service engineer, Tim has led a number of professional and membership bodies, including the Energy and Utility Sector Skills Council (EU Skills), and served on the board of Ofqual. At this critical time for the industry skills system, Build UK is looking forward to working with Tim and has invited him to present to Build UK members (CFA Members are eligiable) once he is in post.

The construction sector will bounce back from the pandemic quickly, with output reaching pre-Covid levels by 2022, according to CITB’s latest Construction Skills Network (CSN) forecast.

The report, which predicts skills needs up to 2025, shows a much more positive outlook than previously thought, with output growing by 4.4% each year on average across the UK. This is mainly due to strong growth in private housing and infrastructure, with 217,000 new workers needed to keep pace with demand. The jobs where most people will be needed include wood trades and interior fit-out, construction managers and other construction professionals.

The report has breakdowns for the predicted annual growth for each nation and region of the UK by sector, and individual trades and professions.

To read the full report, or data for your nation or region, click here.

CITB has now published its Levy Proposals for 2022‐2025, which would see Levy rates return to 0.35% for PAYE staff and 1.25% for CIS sub‐contractors for the next three years. A number of temporary measures introduced in the 2021 Levy Order would be maintained, including the increase in the Levy Exemption Threshold to £120,000 and the 50% reduction in Levy rates for employers with wage bills between £120,000 and £400,000. In line with CITB’s Consensus process, Build UK will be formally consulting Levy‐paying members on the proposals from 14 June to 30 July.
 
All Levy‐registered employers should have received their 2021 Levy Return, and members are reminded to list all the trade bodies they are a member of when completing and returning it by the deadline of Wednesday 30 June.

Leaving lockdown 

As Covid-19 lockdown restrictions ease to an end, CITB are clarifying how they'll be returning to face-to-face engagement with you. 

CITB are already able to hold apprentice reviews outside where required, and National Construction Colleges are open with a program of COVID-19 testing to keep learners and the team safe, they are also continuing to deliver learning remotely, with office staff working from home too. 

From Monday 17 May CITB will be holding more apprentice reviews, meeting employers (with limited numbers), and rolling out more on-site teaching. They'll continue remote learning and working, but there will be the opportunity to start delivering this in person for specific courses. 

From Monday 21 June all apprentice reviews can be delivered in person but can also be remote if that is a better option, they expect up to 30 people can attend events, remote learning and working will still be encouraged. They’ll have a more open programme of learning at the colleges, and while CITB's offices will reopen, they're currently discussing with colleagues how best to combine home and office working.  

End of year performance review 

CITB's end-of-year performance review showed how they responded swiftly to the Covid-19 pandemic to support the industry. The first three months saw:

• suspend Levy collection as businesses faced critical cash challenges.
• offer an advanced apprenticeship grant which saw £3.4 million paid to over 2,000 employers.
• provide e-learning and remote working, with remote learning and new courses ensuring qualifications were not a barrier to returning to work.
• offer Covid-19 support which saw 21,800 people complete the pandemic health and safety eCourse

As few as 248 out of 11,000 CITB’s apprentices were made redundant during the pandemic, underlining the commitment showed by employers, which CITB have supported. CITB has been able to place more than half of these with alternative employers or get them to completion, and they continue to support others to restart their apprenticeship. CITB grants have supported 23,322 apprentices and 8,883 employers.  

Go Construct continued to direct more people to our industry, surpassing four of its five targets with 671,656 people visiting its channels, including social media. Website improvements saw 416,932 new visitors – 75% above what was forecast.  

You can read the full review by clicking here. 

CITB is widening the support offer for employers with apprentices who must “Travel to Train”. CITB will fund 80% of accommodation costs for eligible apprentices with grant eligible employers who attend colleges or training providers where overnight stays and travel to and from a hotel to a place of training, are required.

Employers can also claim excess costs for apprentice travel where the cost exceeds £30 per week.

Accommodation funding and/or travel costs can only be claimed for apprentices employed by CITB registered, grant eligible employers in England, Scotland and Wales.

If you would like more information about accommodation funding for your apprentices or about how to claim travel costs, email your enquiry to: ApprenticeAccom.TravelSupport@citb.co.uk

Stress, depression and anxiety are the second biggest causes of work-related ill health in the construction industry. The earlier this problem is tackled the less impact it will have on workers and business. Taking positive action can help to create a more engaged workforce, keep people in work, boost productivity and save money.

HSE has now published a work-related stress talking toolkit for the construction industry developed with the help of industry stakeholders. It can be found on the work-related stress pages of HSE Website together with HSE guidance and resources on this topic. 

CITB has Nation Council Chair vacancies for England and Scotland. The Nation Councils have an important role in supporting the CITB Board in setting and reviewing CITB’s direction and performance, by providing insight into industry challenges and the impact of CITBs interventions and support. Applications are invited from across the sector, including SMEs, large employers, and independent consultants.

CITB is also recruiting independent members of its Audit and Risk, and Industry Funding committees.

Anyone interested in applying for the vacancies should visit:

http://sscl-innovation.com/CITBmicrosite/volunteering/

CITB are the custodians of the Industry’s Levy. They collect this from all but the smallest construction employers and use it to invest in the skills and training construction needs – both right now and what will be needed in the future. The CITB work closely with the government to influence funding and policy, and partner with industry to prioritise our work; providing funding direct to employers and a range of other services to help attract new talent and retain and skill construction workers.

Last year employers made it clear that the CITB should focus on supporting them through the pandemic and postponed the Consensus exercise. This year employers will be assessed at a reduced rate, whilst the CITB continue to maximise the support we provide to employers.

Due to collecting feedback, the CITB has found it is the right time to proceed with running Consensus. And they are looking forward to talking with businesses from across the sector to understand their views, and explaining how they'll use their money to provide the training and the skills that the industry needs.

While views are sought on the draft Levy Proposals, CITB has also assessed the areas of greatest need for developing skills in the sector and will be testing the top 10 that our evidence suggests. CITB will enhance funding and support to these areas, which include skills gaps, jobs shortages, and the industry’s environmental impact.

Consensus and the Levy: virtual events for employers

Levy registered employers can take part in the consultation from Monday 1 March to Sunday 11 April at www.citb.co.uk/levyconsultation. Employers can register for virtual events at www.citb.co.uk/spring2021events.

Once feedback on the draft Levy Proposals is in, the Consensus exercise will take place from Monday 14 June to Sunday 15 August, with more information available at:

www.citb.co.uk/consensus2021.