Business Plan puts employers in the driving seat with innovative new fund

Focusing on three core priorities, CITB has published its Business Plan, announcing it will be investing over £250m across Britain to support construction.

A front-runner in the plan for 2023-24 is the Industry Impact Fund, which launches today and invites CITB-registered employers to apply for up to £500,000.

The fund targets big picture thinkers, who have innovative solutions to skills and training challenges across the following areas: productivity, equality, diversity, and inclusion.

The fund is one of many initiatives outlined in the plan that aims to put employers in the driving seat, providing the opportunity for a greater say on the best solutions for tackling some of the biggest skills challenges.

Building on last year’s achievements, the plan sets out how CITB will continue to support the construction industry to have a skilled, competent, and inclusive workforce now and in the future. The three priorities set out by CITB are:

• Improving construction’s people pipeline
• Creating defined training pathways
• Delivering an efficient training supply

Tim Balcon, CITB Chief Executive, said: “I’m delighted to present our new Business Plan today, which aims to put employers in the driving seat by making the skills system work more efficiently for them. This year we are focusing on three core priorities and have increased investment by nearly £20m to ensure the right initiatives and funding are in place.

“Construction is an industry full of opportunity and I feel hugely encouraged by forecasts of a predicted upturn in 2024. I’m particularly excited to unveil our innovative new Industry Impact Fund, alongside our Business Plan today. This fund will help employers in multiple ways but ultimately, it will empower them to have a greater say on construction training.”