Covid-19: CITB chief exec update – 7 May 2020

Good afternoon,

I hope you’ve had a good week. Today’s email includes an opportunity to take part in a feedback survey on this update, a refresh on CITB’s support measures for industry during COVID-19 and Billy’s 10 Marathons in May, a unique fundraiser for the nation’s NHS heroes by a CITB colleague.

Feedback survey

I want these updates to be as useful as possible for you. To help with this aim I’d be grateful if you could complete this brief survey. Please let me know your feedback on what works and what you’d like to see in these emails going forward. Thank you.

Final Reminder: Call to action for Welsh construction employers

To provide feedback on new construction qualifications, due in September 2021 for 16–19 year olds in Wales, please complete the form  (Welsh form here).

Update on recent Support Measures

Grants

CITB announced last month that it would pay grants for second and third year apprentices in advance. Since then approximately £3.2m has been paid to over 1,900 employers, supporting 3,551 apprentices.

Following industry feedback, we extended the Advanced Grant support to Higher Level Apprenticeships. Over £207k has been paid to 67 employers to support 328 apprentices since then.

Skills and Training Fund

The new Skills and Training Fund for micro, small and medium sized businesses was launched on April 1. To date we have received 263 applications. To apply for funding, please click here.

Sites Safety Plus course uptake

It’s been another positive week for Site Safety Plus (SSP) remote delivery. Delivery has almost doubled in the past week with nearly 300 delegates completing courses. Over 10% of SSP centres have now signed up to deliver courses remotely. To find the nearest course to you please use our SSP Course Locator.

Health Safety and Environment Test app

Our Health, Safety and Environment Test LITE App has had just over 2,500 downloads since its launch on 24 March, with uptake increasing week on week; 45% growth in the last week alone.  

Buildathon

The winner has been announced of the first England & Scotland Buildathon – a competition designed to show children aged 5-12 construction’s appeal.  Well done to Alice Francis. Alice’s winning entry was highly personalised with a tremendous level of imaginative design and fun. Congratulations also to Gabriel Walsh, the first winner of the Buildathon in Wales. For more information and to register your interest please click here.

Billy’s 10 Marathons in May

CITB apprenticeships manager and part-time football referee Billy Baxter is putting his furlough leave to good use – by running 10 marathons in May! Billy, 51, will run 262 miles in aid of NHS Charities Together. Everyone at CITB wishes Billy all the very best during his inspiring fundraising work. Donations can be made here.

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.

Finally, I would like to wish you, your family and your colleagues an enjoyable VE Day 2020 and a lovely weekend.

Kind wishes

Sarah Beale
Chief Executive