Covid-19: CITB chief exec update - 25 February 2021

Good afternoon,

The pandemic continues to dominate the news, so it's good news that each country's roadmap away from lockdown is becoming clearer and we have the positive news about the vaccine rollout.

In this week’s bulletin you’ll find information about the launch of consultation into how CITB raises its levy, including how to register for virtual events. There’s also a summary of what happened during National Apprenticeship Week (England and Wales) and a preview of next week’s Scottish Apprenticeship Week (1-5 March).

Have your say on how the levy is raised

CITB are the custodians of the Industry’s Levy.  We 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. We work closely with 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 we should focus on supporting them through the pandemic and postponed the Consensus exercise. This year employers will be assessed at a reduced rate, whilst we continue to maximise the support we provide to employers.

From your feedback we know now is the right time to proceed with running Consensus. We’re looking forward to talking with businesses from across the sector to understand their views, and explaining how we’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.

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.

National Apprenticeship Week: raising awareness of the construction industry

The construction industry will need to create the equivalent of an estimated 350,000 new roles by 2028 if the government is to meet its target of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. It is essential that the sector attracts, trains, and retains the workers it needs to ensure growth, which was one of the aims behind National Apprenticeship Week (8-14 February).

42,590 users engaged with the new Go Construct website, of which 4,725 were sent on to jobs and apprenticeship websites. We also had 25 industry organisations reference Go Construct as an information source for potential recruits. Visit the Go Construct website to read and watch some inspiring apprentice case studies!

Business Backing Talent: Scottish Apprenticeship Week (1-5 March)

Now excitement turns to Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2021 which will run next week (1-5 March). This year’s theme is Business Backing Talent to showcase the great benefits of taking on an apprentice. Of 30,000 apprentices learning in Scotland almost a third are in construction, even though the sector represents just 8% of all jobs.

CITB have worked with Developing the Young Workforce to create Build Your Future, a suite of virtual career resources, launching 1 March to coincide with Scottish Apprenticeship Week, and in support of International Women’s Day. Throughout the week, you can access helpful career insight covering innovation, trades and apprenticeships, women in construction, professionals in construction, and collaboration in construction.

Educators and parents/carers can choose to work through all of the resources in the pack, insert them into lessons, or support their young people to learn about the industry in bite-sized chunks. You can get involved and find the resources on the DYW website.

A reminder… 

CITB’s COVID-19 Urgent Messages page is refreshed regularly 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.  

Best wishes and stay safe everyone,

Sarah Beale
Chief Executive