CITB responded quickly to a host of challenges faced by the sector by investing in apprenticeships, launching a range of innovative initiatives, and working collaboratively with industry, the organisation’s 2021-22 Annual Report and Accounts reveal.
The annual report, laid before Parliament on 7 November, shows that in the 12-month period ending 31 March 2022, CITB invested almost £50m of Levy to support over 22,000 apprentices, directly trained over 2,900 new recruits through the second phase of the Construction Skills Fund, and supported over 16,000 learners with grants to complete their qualifications.
Over the same period, direct funding was provided to over 1,600 businesses to invest in their workforce, while Grants Scheme helped fund over 269,000 training courses.
In total, £97m was invested in grant funding by CITB, to make it as easy as possible for employers to recruit and retain and skilled workforce.
Tim Balcon, CITB Chief Executive, said:
“Our accounts for 2021-22 show that CITB has acted quickly to respond to this year’s varying challenges. By investing heavily in apprenticeships, launching a range of innovative projects and programmes, and working collaboratively across the sector, we have remained fully focused on our purpose – our reason to be. That is to support the construction industry to have a skilled, competent, and inclusive workforce now and in the future.
“I would like to take this opportunity to recognise and thank the tireless work and collaboration of employers, federations, training groups, colleges, and everyone in between who play such a vital role in supporting our vision to create an innovative, world-class workforce. We have some way to go but clear progress is being made.”
Employers had concerns that there was a lack of work-readiness among new entrants, so in 2021 CITB launched new Onsite Experience hubs to bridge the gap between training and working.
There are now nine hubs across England and four in Wales creating a talent pipeline to meet the needs of local construction employers and to support construction career opportunities for people from local communities. The programme will result in 7,780 people becoming employment and site-ready with 3,350 people securing sustained employment within the next three years.
Link to Original Article: https://www.citb.co.uk/about-citb/news-events-and-blogs/investment-innovation-and-collaboration-with-industry-citb-accounts-2021-22/
