Covid-19: CITB chief exec update - 31 March 2021

Good afternoon, 

I hope everyone is enjoying their week so far. Today’s email details the publication of our business plan, the reinstatement of our plant grant, the Construction Leadership Council’s People Survey, and a reminder to have your say in our Levy consultation.

Business Plan

This week we have published our Business Plan, and with it practical solutions to support people into our sector while retaining talent, ensuring access to the  training that is needed across the industry, where it’s needed.

We’ve listened to your views and will use your Levy money to focus on fewer initiatives, making sure they deliver the greatest value and impact. By focussing on these areas, we’ll enable a wide range of people to choose construction, and to develop their skills throughout their career, making sure employers can access they skills they need. We’ll be investing the equivalent of 94p from every pound of Levy we collect next year through direct funding, or other services that benefit construction businesses – turning your Levy in, into the right skills.

Next week we’ll release our Nations Plans, which go into more detail about the priority activities in England, Scotland and Wales.

You can read our full business plan by clicking here.

Grants Scheme and Additional Plant-Related Vocational Qualification Unit Grant reinstatement

Our Grants Scheme for this year begins Thursday 1 April and all Grants Scheme rates remain the same as last year.

Following discussions with you, we have reinstated the Additional Plant-Related Vocational Qualification Unit Grant, withdrawn in September 2020 as part of our response to the impact of Covid-19. When the scheme opens, you can apply for £600 for each full qualification, (up to a maximum of four per level, per individual), with a further three plant related qualifications at £300 each available at Level 2.

Applications for last year (from 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021) must be submitted by Wednesday 30 June. We will also be working to identify applications that were received while the grant had been removed to ensure no one is disadvantaged. You can find out more about available grants and how to apply here on our Grants and Funding page.

Construction Leadership Council’s People Survey

The Construction Leadership Council has launched its latest industry-wide People Survey which will measure the impact of coronavirus on the construction sector and its workforce one year on. Previous surveys helped to secure a range of support for the sector, including funding for the Construction Talent Retention Scheme.  Your views make a difference, and will help CITB and others direct support effectively, so please spare just ten minutes to complete the online survey. The deadline for responses is Friday 16 April and all information provided will be confidential with no company details required.

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

Best wishes and stay safe everyone, 

Sarah Beale 
Chief Executive