A consultation has now been launched regarding outlined proposals to merge the CITB and ECITB into one board
A merging into a single Industry Training Board is intended to streamline the skills system and strengthen industry leadership.
The consultation will last for 12 weeks and seeks views from employers, training providers, and stakeholders across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The consultation will shape how this merger happens
The description of the proposed reforms states: “This reformed body would retain strong sector specific expertise while providing clear, system wide strategic leadership and deploying shared resources efficiently to achieve maximum impact and value for money.
“It would remain industry led and operationally independent, working in partnership with government and building on the ITBs’ past successes to secure the skilled workforce its industry needs now and for the future. The decision on whether to proceed with a single ITB will take account of this consultation and the views of the Scottish and Welsh governments.”
In the original announcement of the consultation earlier this month, it was put forward that the CITB and ECITB already work so closely together that merging the two would only strengthen their role.
Information on how to respond can be found here.
“We must continue to work to tackle the joint needs of industry”
At the time of the original announcement, Tim Balcon, CEO of the CITB, said: “The Government is committed to getting Britain building again, with a £600m construction skills package announced last year, which CITB contributed to. This is recognition of how vital the construction industry is – not just to the Government’s own homebuilding and infrastructure development ambitions, but as a crucial cog in the wider economy.
“Regardless of the outcome we must continue to work to tackle the joint needs of industry – we need to be providing standardised levels of competence, alternative routes into industry and making it easier to access high-quality training.”
Andrew Hockey, CEO of the ECITB, said: “Construction and engineering construction are critical to meet the Government’s missions for growth, good jobs and for the UK to become a clean energy superpower by 2030.
“We have been working closely with the CITB on a number of workstreams following the ITB Review. This collaboration is important to tackle the common workforce challenges facing our industries.
“Whatever the outcome of this consultation, it is important the distinct skills and workforce needs of the engineering construction industry (ECI) continue to be supported. Our research forecasts that the ECI will need 40,000 additional workers by 2030. Any changes to how the ITBs are structured should not detract from the urgent need to attract, develop, qualify and retain skilled workers now.”
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