Covid-19: CITB chief exec update - 24 March 2021

I hope everyone is enjoying their week so far. Today’s email details changes to how we manage National Construction Colleges, our Net Zero animation, a reminder to have your say in our Levy consultation, and a chance to share your views on the top ten skills gaps in our industry.

National Construction Colleges

We announced earlier this week that we are retaining our National Construction Colleges (NCC) in Norfolk and Glasgow. Sale discussions with a training provider for our Erith site continue, but the training facilities at Bircham Newton (Norfolk) and Inchinnan (Glasgow) will continue to be run by CITB.

The sales of our Training Businesses were part of a huge programme of change announced in 2017 called Vision 2020 which has delivered significant and permanent cost savings and a variety of promised benefits our customers. We’re now fully focussed on supporting our staff and learner at these centres to continue delivering excellent training facilities. More details about the training available can be found here.

Net Zero animation

We’ve created a new animation explaining the challenges and benefits to the industry working towards being carbon neutral. Government is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to Net Zero by 2050, and our sector has a leading role to play in that.

We will meet demand through new skills and services, while adding value to employees, people, clients and communities. Our latest comprehensive research ‘Building Skills for Net Zero’ has used the Climate Change Committee’s data to define a skills routemap for the UK construction industry, which identifies the roles and expertise teams need to meet this ambitious target.

Don’t forget to have your say on our Levy proposals

A reminder that our consultation on the Levy Proposals 2022-25 is open until Sunday 11 April. CITB registered employers can have their say on the way we raise the Levy for the next three years, and give feedback on our plans for supporting construction recovery at www.citb.co.uk/levyconsultation

Priority skills needs

At the same time as consulting Levy-registered employers about our Levy Proposals, we are seeking your views on the key skills shortages facing employers today. Through the same link, you can respond to our recommendation that the top ten skills gaps are: bricklaying; plant operations; scaffolding; general site labour skills; ground-working; rainscreen cladding; energy efficiency property retro-fitting; upskilling existing workers for offsite construction; supervisory, leadership and management; and digital skills.

Best wishes and stay safe everyone, 

Sarah Beale 
Chief Executive