The industry has voted to retain the CITB Levy. Here are a range of comments on the industry vote below.
Mark Farmer, Chief Executive, Cast Consultancy, said:
“I’ve made it clear the future of the industry has to be very different; that means CITB must be very different too. We’ve seen some positive signs from CITB, particularly with the reports around immersive learning and offsite construction. Now we need to see the big changes that are going to make our industry’s training body fit for purpose long term.”
John Tutte, Chief Executive, Redrow Homes, said:
“The CITB need to modernise, particularly to meet the needs of the housebuilding industry. They should take this levy vote as a stimulus to update their business model so that it can better support our industry. I am encouraged that this is recognised and I welcome indicators I have seen that serious reform is on its way. I am confident the housebuilding industry will offer its full support to the CITB to deliver the changes required.”
Brian Morrisroe, CEO of The Morrisroe Group, said:
“This is a positive result for both the CITB and the industry it represents. I hope to see greater openness and accountability in the new delivery model. Now that the decision has been made and the uncertainty removed, I hope that our industry can work together with its training board to ensure that it successfully recruits, trains and retains talent. Employers must do their bit in this regard and will, I hope, champion apprenticeships throughout their businesses.”
Cathie Clarke, Chief Executive of the Single Ply Roofing Association, said:
“Following the consensus procedure, CITB must now ensure that they retain our support and act swiftly to realise the promised reforms. As a specialist federation, SPRA, its members and the wider single ply industry have benefitted significantly from working closely with the CITB.
“Our collaboration has led to the development of Level 2 qualifications and courses for single ply membrane waterproofing – and the current support of the roofing Basic Competency Programme has recognised the important role manufacturers also play in training our specialist workforce.
“As a result, SPRA is now able to offer a true career path for single ply operatives. This would not have been possible without the CITB and I hope we can develop our collaborative efforts into the future for the continued benefit of the single ply industry.”
Richard Beresford, Chief Executive of the National Federation of Builders, said:
“A training board that works with the industry to deliver skills when and where they are needed is construction’s best option. CITB’s reforms, coupled with better SME representation to better reflect our industry, could deliver on construction’s potential.”
Jim Buchan, Director, Anderson Construction, said:
“CITB is the vital link and enabler between the employer and the need to have a properly trained and qualified construction workforce. CITB understands the complexities of the industry and identifies, enables and facilitates training requirements across the sector. It provides employers with access to the specific training needs of the workforce, leading to an improvement in workers’ skills, qualifications and increased value to the company and industry.
“It’s essential the Grant Scheme is focused on the training needs of modern construction businesses. It needs to be simple, user friendly and allow quick and easy access to training and its funding streams. The Levy needs to be fair across all aspects of the industry. With recruitment levels set to fall in Scotland and an ageing workforce it is essential the Levy is set at a level that will allow a focus on the recruitment of craft apprentices and graduates into the industry.”
Helen McGachie, Chief Executive of The Resin Flooring Association, said:
“We have been fully supported by CITB in the development and delivery of training and qualifications for our specialist sector. With CITB’s support we have developed specialist apprenticeship schemes (SAPs) which are very much employer-led and have been running successfully for the last 10 years.
“Specialist contractors working in this sector have been given a route to qualify their workforce which has also helped raise the profile of the resin flooring industry. Our members have seen the benefits first hand of working with CITB so when it came to the vote, they were fully supportive of the continuation of a reformed CITB.”