Covid-19: CITB chief exec update – 22 July 2020

Good afternoon,

I hope you’re having a good week. Today’s email includes a reminder to register for the Government’s Construction Talent Retention Scheme which launches on Friday. We also encourage you to have your say about the support needed to help achieve net zero and decarbonise the built environment by 2050 - opening up new business opportunities such as retrofit.

As I mentioned last week, both Site Safety Plus (SSP) training and Health, safety and environment (HS&E) testing, resumed this week in Wales and Scotland.

Construction Talent Retention Scheme

Many businesses have already registered their interest in the Construction Talent Retention Scheme so far, and you can do the same before it is officially launched this Friday 24 July.

The online portal will be in place to secure essential talent in the UK’s construction sector, helping to match workers at risk of redundancy with roles across the UK to help hold onto as many of our skilled workforce as possible.  This gives employers ready access to the skills they need, while displaced workers from other sectors will be offered a route to jobs in construction.

If you are interested in securing the skills and experience you need or currently have vacancies, please register your interest here.

To find out more information about the Construction Talent Retention Scheme you can watch a video that has been produced or alternatively you can join a webinar that is being held on 28 July to showcase how you can make the most of the service.

The Construction Talent Retention Scheme is run by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC), with partners including CITB.

Net zero – new business for you

The need to act on climate change seems more pressing than ever. The UK Government is legally bound to reduce emissions to net zero by 2050, which will require a tremendous shared effort. It means we will need to change the way we operate our businesses and how we build.

New markets and opportunities will open up for businesses that are ahead of the game.  But what does net zero mean for you and your business?  

CITB is working with Government to understand what skills the construction industry needs to access the new markets involved and will publish findings and recommendations later in the year. This is a key opportunity to influence the work and help shape the support you need. Please complete our online survey, which should take 10 minutes and closes on Friday 31 July.

A reminder…

CITB’s COVID-19 urgent messages page is refreshed daily and includes updates on the full range of our work.

You can also read the range of support measures made available to UK businesses and employees by the UK Government.

Kind wishes,

Sarah Beale
Chief Executive