Small, medium and micro construction businesses can now access a free digital training programme designed to help them adopt and integrate modern technology into their everyday operations
The programme has been made possible through CITB’s Industry Impact Fund (IIF), which supports innovative projects that address the sector’s most pressing workforce and skills challenges. By backing new and scalable ideas, the fund helps organisations develop solutions that can make a difference across the construction industry.
The programme, Solving Tech for Small Builders, has been developed by North London Loft Rooms in collaboration with Construction Coach, Limes Consulting and RLB Digital. It was initially tested through a successful three-month pilot involving 50 builders.
Based on the impact seen during the pilot, the project secured £98,000 of IIF funding to
be expanded and transformed into a fully accessible online course. The pilot delivered
strong financial benefits for many participants and helped boost their confidence in selecting and using digital tools.
With the new funding, the training has now been rolled out more widely and is accessible via partner platforms including Construction Coach and the Federation of Master Builders. The content is largely delivered in video format and has been designed to be neurodiverse-friendly.
Maria Coulter, founder of Construction Coach & Solving Construction, said: “What’s great about the Industry Impact Fund is that it gives people like me, who have seen challenges in our industry, the opportunity and funding to do something about them.
“I’ve been passionate about making technology practical and accessible for builders for a long time and working together alongside Dennis from North London Loft Rooms, allowed us to turn that shared belief into something that can help many more businesses.”
What is the Industry Impact Fund?
The Industry Impact Fund is designed for construction employers who want to tackle the biggest challenges facing the workforce across the UK. If they have a new and innovative idea to improve skills and training in the industry, this fund can help make it a reality.
What makes this fund different?
Launched in April 2023, this is CITB’s first fund of its kind. It gives employers the power to design and develop training solutions thatdon’t already exist – ensuring they are scalable, sustainable and make a lasting impact. Plus, if an idea is successful, CITB can support it with up to £500,000 per proposal, to turn the idea into reality.
Creating industry-wide change
The Industry Impact Fund supports projects that shape the future of construction – boosting skills, innovation and collaboration. The process is fully supported by CITB’s expert teams at every stage – whether the aim is to tackle skills shortages, introduce new technology or create opportunities.
What can the fund support?
The Industry Impact Fund supports forward-thinking projects that address key workforce challenges in construction. Eligible proposals must focus on:
- Skills and training programmes to upskill the workforce.
- Innovative technology adoption to enhance efficiency.
- Collaborative industry projects that drive shared progress.
- Sustainable solutions to workforce challenges.
Remember, activity must focus on a skills and training solution that doesn’t already exist. The idea must be new, not previously supported by CITB, and it must be scalable and sustainable. The fund is open to big picture ideas that enable shared knowledge and resources across the industry and are sustainable past the period of funding.
To apply for the fund, businesses need to propose and develop solutions on how to enhance one of the following topics in the construction industry.
- Productivity.
- Equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Net zero.
- Trainers and assessors.
- Digital skills.
- Retention.
If successful, CITB can provide up to £500,000 of funding per proposal to make the innovative idea a reality.
Impact in action:
- £3.5m awarded to projects to date.
- Over 13,054 people directly andpositively impacted by the fund so far.
- Open to CITB registered employersacross the UK.
Find out more about CITB’s Industry Impact Fund at: www.citb.co.uk/levy-grants-andfunding/ grants-and-funding/industryimpact-fund/
*Please note that this is a commercial profile.
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