by Clair Mooney | 23 Mar, 2023 | Main News Feed, Skills
CITB’s latest Construction Skills Network report highlights that 224,900 workers will be required over the next five years to meet the demands of the construction industry. To help employers tackle the skills shortage of workers across the industry, and to address rising costs, CITB has made changes to its grants from April 2023.
The CITB Grants Scheme is available to all CITB-registered employers and provides financial support for employers who offer construction-specific training to their workforce. Below is an overview of the changes:
- Grant rates doubled for short courses. Employers can now receive up to £240 grant when an individual successfully completes a short course from 1st April 2023.
- Grant rates have been increased to support individuals impacted by the withdrawal of the Industry Accreditation card. Grant rates for specific supervision and management qualifications have increased to £1,250 and £1,500 for achievements from 1st April 2023.
- The grant application deadline has been extended to 52 weeks for all grant types.
You can find out more information on the CITB website at www.citb.co.uk/levy-grants-and-funding/grants-and-funding/what-s-new-in-the-grants-scheme
by Clair Mooney | 17 Mar, 2023 | Skills
This week Awarding body NOCN has confirmed that the Installation of Fire Resistant Walls and Linings Qualification will now be available as a Vocational Qualification within the Interior Systems Installers family of qualifications.
This qualification was previously included in the Passive Fire Protection vocational qualification and following a review involving discussions with FIS members and the FIS Skills Board, the organisation has worked with the Association of Specialist Fire Protection and CITB (who are responsible for Occupational Standards in the Construction Industry) to instigate this restructure. The qualification is now an option within the interior system family of qualifications and can be endorsed on the CSCS card, thus helping those working in Dry Lining prove competence in the Installation of fire resistant walls and linings.
The Awarding organisation NOCN has committed to administering the qualification which will be available via NOCN accredited centres: https://trainingcentre-search.nocn.org/ later this year. When the qualification is fully available FIS Approved Training Providers will be advised and members should be able to acquire this qualification with an FIS member discount. In addition CITB will pay the vocational qualification achievement grant of £600 to organisations in scope for the construction industry levy.
Speaking about the these changes, FIS Skills and Training Lead, George Swann stated:
“We appreciate that the qualification landscape can be quite confusing and it is vital that we apply the logic of the way people work to the way that the qualifications are structured. As new competency requirements come in to force aligned to the Building Safety Act, this qualification option will support FIS Members in demonstrating competence in a more onerous compliance environment.”
For information on new competency requirements in the Building Regulations and implementing a Competency Management Plan, click here
by Clair Mooney | 8 Mar, 2023 | Skills
Employers can now receive expert advice and support from sector specific networks, as part of the Construction Industry Training Board’s (CITB) employer network pilot. As well as the local training networks, selected sectors will also be supported making it even easier to find and fund appropriate construction training.
The CITB pilot launched its local training networks in August 2022 with an initial £800,000 investment. With a focus on connecting employers to established and experienced delivery partners, the aim is to help employers recognise their training priorities and the best routes to achieving them. This transformative way of working provides a huge opportunity for employers to not only voice their training requirements, but also play a fundamental role in deciding how funds are used in their local area.
The 12-month local initiative is available to 3,800 levy-registered construction businesses and offered across five locations in England, Scotland, and Wales. One business already reaping the rewards is Aspect Group Services Ltd. The East Anglian business provides various services across roofing, scaffolding, property refurbishment and development, and was informed about the employer network pilot through the Norfolk Construction Training Group (NCTG).
Katie Laws-Chapman, Aspect Group Services Office Manager, said: “Initially we were hesitant, as we were accustomed to claiming training back from CITB through the usual process. However, through discussions with our contacts at NCTG, we were assured the process would be simple and we would have greater benefits due to the wide scope the employer network covered. As we are a mix of site-based operatives and office-based staff, we were able to request support for a wider variety of courses than previously possible. It was very beneficial to be able to combine both sets of training requirements for our staff through the employer network.”
FIS is working with CITB to involve the Fit Out and Interiors Sector Training Group (FISTG). If you need any information advice or guidance on claiming funds for training please contact Marie Flinter on 07799 903103 or email marieflinter@thefis.org or book a skills and funding clinic here.
by Clair Mooney | 23 Feb, 2023 | Skills
To support construction workers to transition from an Industry Accreditation (IA) card to a qualification, CITB is increasing the grant for specific supervision NVQ Diplomas/SVQs to £1,250 and specific management NVQ Diplomas/SVQs to £1,500 for achievements from 1 April 2023 as listed below
| Supervision |
Management |
| Level 3/SCQF Level 6 in Built Environment Design |
Level 6/SCQF Level 10 in Construction Site Management |
| Level 3/SCQF Level 6 in Construction Contracting Operations – [any subcategory] |
Level 6/SCQF Level 9 in Built Environment Design Management |
| Level 3/SCQF Level 6 in Site Inspection |
Level 6/SCQF Level 9 in Construction Contracting Operations Management – [any subcategory] |
| Level 3 in Surveying, Property and Maintenance |
Level 6 in Senior Site Inspection |
| Level 4/SCQF Level 7 in Construction Site Supervision |
Level 7/SCQF Level 11 in Construction Senior Management |
| Level 3/SCQF Level 6 in Built Environment Design |
Level 6/SCQF Level 10 in Construction Site Management |
CITB registered organisations have been able to claim £600 for each trade vocational qualification (VQ’s) completed for PAYE and LOSC people. Organisations can claim this regardless to whether they meet the construction industry levy threshold and pay the levy, you just need your CITB registration number.
There is an additional £400 for Rainscreen Cladding VQs achieved from 1 April 2022, on top of the usual £600, giving a total grant value of £1,000. There’s £300 for each achievement of a plant related Level 2 VQ unit, up to a maximum of three per individual. The plant VQ unit achievements are also included in the cap of four Level 2 achievements per individual e.g., Interior Systems VQ’s for Dryliner can include, Fixer plus Boarder plus Finisher plus Fire resistant wall installer making four level 2 ahievements.
The Construction Skills Certificate Scheme (CSCS) has announced its plan to move all Industry Accreditation (IA) cardholders to a recognised qualification. You can find more information on the withdrawal of Industry Accreditation by visiting the CSCS website here.
If you need any help to secure funds for the training you provide for employees have a look at the FIS web site: Skills and Funding or give Marie Flinter a call on 0121 707 0077 or email marieflinter@thefis.org
by Clair Mooney | 21 Feb, 2023 | Skills
The CITB Strategic Plan will set out where they focus their efforts from 2024-2028 and they are seeking feedback about where CITB should prioritise investment.
This is your chance to tell them about what matters to you and the support that you need. By sharing your views, you will help shape CITB future priorities and the support they provide.
Complete our short online survey to have your say.
This is an opportunity for FIS members to contribute to what CITB invest the construction industry levy in, an opportunity that should not be missed. If you would like to discuss this further, contact FIS on 0121 707 0077 or email info@thefis.org
About the Strategic Plan
CITB’s Strategic Plan 2021-25, published in September 2020, sets out the key skills challenges for construction and what CITB will do to address them.
Amid an unpredictable landscape, CITB have focused on a smaller number of priorities to help modernise construction and increase productivity, collaborating with industry, governments and further education (FE). As well as providing direct support to employers, CITB will use this period to help fix the system, making it easier to recruit workers into the industry and to access training.
The Strategic Plan supports employers to bring people into work and provide the training they need. The Plan includes expanding work experiences, creating a new pathway from FE into apprenticeships and jobs, and boosting the numbers of apprentices completing their programmes.
Highlights from the Strategic Plan include:
- Investing £110m to support apprentices and employers, on top of grant support, to increase overall numbers and completion rates.
- Support for 28,000 taster experiences and investment in Go-Construct to give people the chance to see the wide range of opportunities construction offers and how to access them.
- Using the Grants Scheme and other funding to help employers invest in training to first rebuild after the pandemic and then to modernise and raise productivity.
The Strategic Plan was developed during discussions with employers, employer bodies and CITB Board and Nation Council members.
Read the Strategic Plan here
by Clair Mooney | 16 Feb, 2023 | Skills
CSCS will cease renewing cards issued via Industry Accreditation (IA) from 30 June 2024, while all IA cards issued from 1 Jan 2020 will expire on 31 Dec 2024 and will not be renewed. Below, CSCS have provided responses to some of the common queries and questions around IA, as well as information on how they can be resolved.
IA was a mechanism by which workers could obtain CSCS cards on the strength of an employers’ recommendation rather than the achievement of a recognised qualification. CSCS stopped issuing new cards under IA back in 2010, but if you previously held a card under IA, the scheme rules allowed you to continue to renew.
CSCS together with our 37 partner card schemes, are bound by the Construction Leadership Council’s (CLC) requirement that all construction industry card schemes must operate with nationally recognised qualifications (usually NVQs and Apprenticeships) in place for all occupations. This requirement is particularly important when addressing the IA issue. Further details on the withdrawal can be found here.
To satisfy the Construction Leadership Council’s requirements, CSCS announced plans to withdraw cards issued under IA, which include:
- IA cards issued from 1 Jan 2020 will expire on 31 Dec 2024 and will not be renewed
- CSCS will cease renewing IA cards from 30 June 2024.
There are four ways to move off IA:
- Vocational qualifications already achieved: cardholders who have achieved the qualifications for their occupation can renew their card for the full five-year term as normal.
- Academically Qualified person card: This card is available to people who have completed certain construction related degrees, HNDs, HNCs, CIOB Certificates and NEBOSH diplomas.
- Professionally Qualified person: This card is available to competence assessed members of CSCS approved Professional Bodies of which CIOB is one.
- Not everyone needs a card: There will be IA card holders who no longer require their CSCS cards. For example, you may have moved into a management role, become a director, or rarely visit site. In these scenarios, you do not require a CSCS card.
Those unable to fit into these four scenarios will be required to register for the appropriate qualification for their occupation before their cards expire in 2024. Those without qualifications will be required to register for the appropriate qualification for their occupation before their cards expire in 2024, however this does not mean attending college. Assessments can take place on site, remotely or via a professional discussion depending on the individual circumstances.
Costs will vary depending on a range of factors such as the training provider, qualification and assessment method. However, CITB grants are available to employers to assist with the cost involved. Those impacted are advised to read up on the options available to them and follow the interactive flowcharts available via CSCS Applying For Cards Industry Accreditation CSCS would also urge employers, trade associations, awarding organisations and training providers to put plans in place to support the workers affected ahead of the December 2024 withdrawal.
George Swann Skills and Training Lead said:
“if you are an AI card holder without a qualification FIS has Training Provider members who can help get the qualification applicable to your role. Contact FIS on 0121 707 0077 or email info@thefis.org and we may be able to get you your qualification free of charge”.
