CITB calls on industry to shape Plant standards and support for the future

Employers are being asked to get involved in a review of Plant Short Duration Training Standards and Grant support.

The review is being carried out by CITB with the aim of simplifying access to plant grants for employers whilst maintaining high standards of training and testing in this safety critical area.

To find out more and to share your views on the initial proposals for the new Plant Standards and Grants please fill out the survey. The deadline is 26 November 2021. Those taking part will be able to register interest in being involved in the working groups, who will ultimately support the development of the new Plant Standards.

This review of Plant Standards comes at a time of increased demand for training and plant skills in the construction sector. The latest Construction Skills Network (CSN) forecast for 2021-25 predicts that we will need another 850 plant operators each year to keep pace with demand.

According to CSN there are over 42,000 plant operators in the UK. Over 4,000 CITB-registered employers work primarily within plant hire, demolition or civil engineering, with an element of plant on most construction sites.

Gillian Brewin, Head of Grant and Funding Products at CITB, said: “Plant skills are hugely important to the whole construction sector. The purpose of this review is to get to an agreed industry position on training and testing standards, and to ensure our Plant Grants support and encourage quality training.

“We are consulting with industry and are very keen to hear from all those with an interest in plant training and testing, especially small and micro employers and training providers. This is the industry’s opportunity to shape standards in a safety critical sector so please have your say today.”