by Clair Mooney | Jun 15, 2023 | Skills
The Department for Education (DfE) will imminently be announcing its scheduled review into the role and effectiveness of both the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB).
Last undertaken in 2017, the review will assess the extent to which each Arm’s Length Body (ALB) performs effectively and delivers services that meet the needs of industry. The review is a requirement set by the Cabinet Office for all public bodies to be reviewed periodically.
The review is part of a wider programme across government to ensure that ALBs remain effective into the future.
The review will consider the ongoing need for the Industry Training Boards (ITBs), the effectiveness of the levy process and how it is invested, so that they continue to deliver for the public and represent a responsible use of levy funds.
It will consider the ITBs’ operating models, governance, accountability models and impact.
CITB has said that it will work closely with the review team to make visible its present impact, and demonstrate its plans and industry collaboration to deliver skills and training for the challenges ahead.
The review will be led by an independent lead reviewer, Mark Farmer, CEO of Cast Consultancy. He will be supported by a team of civil servants from the DfE. The review will also access expertise from the respective industries that the ITBs support as well as from across Whitehall
The DfE will shortly announce a call for evidence from stakeholders on GOV.UK and would particularly welcome contributions from employers in scope of the existing CITB levy orders, as well as trade bodies and representative groups from the construction industry. The call for evidence will inform early recommendations to ministers in late summer.
The DfE will provide contact details for submissions of evidence in the near future.
FAQs
Why is the review of the CITB and ECITB taking place?
The review is a requirement set by the Cabinet Office for public bodies to be reviewed based on level of risk. It will assess the extent to which Arm’s Length Bodies (ALB) performs effectively and delivers services that meet the needs of industry. The last CITB review took place in 2017.
Who are the review team?
The review will be led by an independent lead reviewer, Mark Farmer, CEO of Cast Consultancy and co-chair of Constructing Excellence, supported by a small team within DfE.
How can we get involved in the review?
DfE will shortly be announcing a call for evidence from stakeholders on GOV.UK. DfE would particularly welcome contributions from employers in scope to CITB, as well as trade bodies and representative groups from the construction industry. The call for evidence will inform early recommendations to ministers in late summer.
The DfE will provide contact details for submissions of evidence in the near future.
What is the Review likely to consider?
The extent of the review will ultimately be decided by the Lead Reviewer, but this will be influenced by guidance provided by the Cabinet office. The overall purpose of an ALB review is to ensure there is still a need for the functions carried out by an ALB, that the ALB is the right vehicle to carry out those functions, to consider alternative approaches to deliver the functions, assess the impact the ALB has and to determine any ways of making the ALB more effective and efficient.
When will the outcome be announced?
A final report and recommendations are expected to be submitted to the Secretary of State for Education at the end of 2023. Ministers will then assess the recommendations and determine the Government’s response having taken CITB views on the recommendations into account.
Is this different to the Consensus process?
Yes. The ALB review is a fundamental review of the organisation, its impact and future need. Consensus on the other hand is a very specific process carried out (usually) every three years to assess the industry’s views on CITB’s (ECITB’s) proposals for raising Levy over the next three years and their plans for effective use of the Levy generated. The next CITB Consensus process is due to take place between February and April 2024.
by Clair Mooney | Jun 9, 2023 | Skills
Opportunity – for young people, employers and society – is central to the new Construction Leadership Council’s skills plan.
The plan shows how much Construction and built environment has to offer society and provides solutions to short and long-term challenges. Construction is a major engine of the UK economy employing 2.7m people, contributing 8% output to the economy. The plan recognises the great potential industry has on themes including:
- Innovation and creativity. Construction will be at the forefront of arguably the biggest challenge facing humankind – climate change – which makes our industry a career of meaning and value.
- Jobs. Industry offers high-skilled, well-paid jobs, the chance for workers to take modern, green skills across the globe.
- New entrants. Construction gives people a chance in life. As CITB Chief Executive Tim Balcon wrote recently: “Industry loves to see fresh talent which is why new entrants with a great attitude are welcomed with open arms.”
- Of course, our work on the plan did not blind us to the pressing issues construction and built environment faces.
Yes, there is a skills challenge.
Yes, the pace of diversity and modernising needs to increase.
And, yes, the record on mental health needs to improve rapidly. Industry is working on these issues day in, day out.
But it’s important to recognise the genuine change and opportunity our industry is undergoing and has to offer.
There’s a lot on the agenda, much to look forward to, here’s what we’re planning.
Aims
The aim of the plan is to offer solutions to short and long-term construction skills challenges in England.
These include how to:
- Meet employers’ demand for skilled workers.
- Train and retain people.
- Ensure the workforce is competent.
- Expand construction and built environment’s career appeal.
- Train experienced workers to become teachers.
The plan outlines how industry can deliver the workers industry needs through shared, aligned priorities. These priorities are: culture change; routes into construction and built environment; competence and future skills.
Working on those priorities won’t be easy, particularly in the short-term, given the economic outlook for the rest of the year.
However, the long term forecast for construction and built environment output is positive.
Recent headlines have been promising, too. CITB estimates an extra 225,000 workers will be required across the UK from 2023 – 2027.
Culture
The aims of last year’s plan were focussed on culture change and diversity. These themes will be important part of our work during in the year ahead.
CLC projects for 2023-24 include:
- A pilot to give schoolchildren a chance to learn about a career in construction
- The launch of a new competence approach to ensure there is an accepted, accredited definition of competence for all construction and built environment occupations.
- Expanding the new entrant apprenticeship brokerage service and introducing a new apprenticeship mentoring standard to increase apprenticeship starts, continuation and completions.
- The launch of Phase 1 of the Career Pathway Hub, an online portal aimed at defining high value career pathways for net zero, digitalisation, smart construction and repair maintenance and improvement.
To deliver this plan, partnering for skills is paramount. This means employers of all sizes investing in people, improving industry’s working culture and attracting new talent for future skills demand.
Multiplier
There are a variety of practical ways people across industry can support the plan.
These include:
We want to involve more small businesses in our work, to get a real multiplier effect on what we’re trying to achieve. For that to happen, collaboration is essential.
by Clair Mooney | May 26, 2023 | Skills
Funding is available to support individuals achieving a Level 2 NVQ in Drylining (London based) and a Level 3 NVQ in Occupational Working Supervision (London and Birmingham based only).
Candidates must be 19+ years old and if the employer is CITB registered and up to date with its levy return, there are substantial grants available to cover the cost of the training. Full details below.
London ONLY
Level 2 NVQ in Drylining – heavily discounted and if you are CITB registered and up to date with your levy you may receive £600 grant cover plus cash back.
200 places remaining.
Level 3 NVQs in Occupational Working Supervision – FREE and you will be able to claim back £600pp if you are CITB registered and up to date with your levy return.
70 places remaining.
Birmingham – ONLY
Level 3 NVQs in Occupational Working Supervision – FREE and you will be able to claim back £600pp if you are CITB registered and up to date with your levy return.
10 spaces remaining.
Don’t miss out on accessing this valuable funding. For more information contact Marie Flinter at FIS on 0121 707 0077 or email marieflinter@thefis.org
by Clair Mooney | May 12, 2023 | Building Safety Act, Skills
The Operational Standards Rules (OSRs) will apply from April 2024 and set out the practices, procedures, and performance standards that the Building Safety Regulator expects from Local Authorities and Registered Building Control Approvers (RBCAs) in relation to their building control functions.
This is underpinned by monitoring arrangements that include key performance indicators and reportable data.
The OSRs can be found here.
Building Inspector Competence Framework (BICOF)
The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) oversees building control bodies (individual professionals, local authorities, and registered building control approvers). From Spring 2024 building control bodies and professionals must follow mandatory codes and standards for building control. All registered building inspectors, public and private sector, must demonstrate competence against the building inspector competence framework. It sets out the necessary skills, knowledge, experience, and behaviours required of individuals performing their role as a building inspector registered with the Building Safety Regulator.
The register will open in October, the framework can be found here.
FIS CEO Iain McIlwee commented:
“We are now starting to see the detail emerge into how the Building Control Process will function for Local Authorities and Registered Building Control Approvers (RBCAs). Looking at the expectations that the Building Safety Regulator is placing on Building Control to demonstrate competence is helpful as it gives us insight into how the direction of travel they expect for all Duty Holders and those give responsibility for compliance in the construction process”.
by Clair Mooney | Apr 28, 2023 | Skills
FIS approved training provider The Skills Centre is offering 40 free fully funded NVQs L2 Passive Fire Protection (OSAT).
To be eligible, the employees (trainee) residential address and CIS must be within non-devolved Council areas in England. If unsure we are happy to advise.
Funding will be offered on a first come, first served basis and priority will be given to FIS members. The employee must register before 31 May 2023.
If you are CITB registered and up to date with your levy you can also claim £600 on completion of the NVQ.
For more information, contact Marie Flinter on marieflinter@thefis.org or call 07799 903 103.
by Clair Mooney | Apr 20, 2023 | Skills
A plan to support the net zero challenge and get young people into high-skilled, well-paid jobs has been launched today (20 April) by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC).
In its new Skills Plan, CLC highlights how much the construction and built environment industry has to offer society, while providing solutions to short and long-term challenges in England.
Construction is a major engine of the UK economy, employing 2.7million people and contributing 8% output to the economy.
But it also faces a major skills shortage, with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) estimating an extra 225,000 workers will be required across the UK from 2023 – 2027.
To tackle this shortage, while supporting net zero goals, CLC’s Skills Plan focuses on four main priorities: culture change, routes into construction and built environment, competence and future skills.
This includes meeting employers’ demand for skilled workers, training and retaining people, ensuring competency, expanding the career appeal of construction and built environment, while also training experienced workers to become teachers.
As part of the Skills Plan, CLC has developed a range of projects for 2023-24, including:
- The launch of a new competence approach to ensure there is an accepted, accredited definition of competence for all construction and built environment occupations.
- Expansion of the new entrant apprenticeship brokerage service and introducing a new apprenticeship mentoring standard to increase apprenticeship starts, continuation and completions.
- The launch of Phase 1 of the Career Pathway Hub, an online portal aimed at defining high value career pathways for net zero, digitalisation, smart construction and repair maintenance and improvement.
- A pilot scheme to give schoolchildren a chance to learn about a career in construction
Adrian Beckingham, CITB Strategy and Policy Director and Co-Chair of CLC People and Skills Network, said: “Construction will be at the forefront of arguably the biggest challenge – supporting the transition to net zero – which makes our industry a career of meaning and value.
At the same time, we have a pressing need to attract and support new entrants into the industry.
This new Skills Plan by CLC will tackle these challenges by creating opportunities to get young people into high-skilled, well-paid jobs, while encouraging workers to adopt modern, green skills across the globe.”
Nick Roberts, Chief Executive of Travis Perkins plc and Industry Sponsor of CLC People and Skills Network, said: “I’m looking forward to helping the whole of our industry support the CLC in the delivery of this plan.
“Partnering for skills is paramount. This means employers of all sizes investing in people, improving industry’s working culture and attracting new talent for future skills demand.”
To read the Skills Plan in full, click here.
