ITB review supports levy, calls for more reform

The Department for Education (DfE) has published its response to the 2023 Industrial Training Board (ITB) Review, confirming that the levy-grant system for construction training will remain but must be modernised. The review highlights ongoing skills shortages in construction and engineering construction and recommends closer collaboration between the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB).

The government accepts 35 of the review’s 63 recommendations and partially accepts 25 others. Among the key proposals is a potential merger of CITB and ECITB to create a single body overseeing industry training. However, the government states that while greater alignment is needed, there are no immediate plans for a merger. Instead, a steering group will be set up to oversee reforms.

Other key recommendations include:

• Retaining and modernising the statutory levy system with clearer performance measures.
• Developing a digital skills passport to track workforce competencies.
• Increasing training provision in clean energy and infrastructure.
• Focusing more on existing workers, not just new entrants.

The government says it will work with CITB and ECITB to ensure training supports industry needs and economic growth. The minister of state for skills, Baroness Smith of Malvern, says: “We need a highly trained workforce to meet the UK’s housing, infrastructure and clean energy ambitions.”

CITB and ECITB respond

In a statement, CITB says it welcomes the review’s findings and says its employer networks and training initiatives already address many of the report’s concerns. Tim Balcon, CITB chief executive, says: “The report recognises the significant skills challenges facing the construction and engineering industries and the vital role ITBs play in addressing these.”

While CITB supports stronger ties with ECITB, Balcon warns against delays caused by restructuring. “We must move at pace to work together to tackle the joint needs of industry without the delay and disruption that legislative or structural changes would surely bring,” he says.

ECITB agrees that collaboration should increase, particularly in nuclear and clean energy projects. Andrew Hockey, ECITB chief executive, says: “We welcome closer collaboration with CITB, particularly in the area of infrastructure skills where there is the most commonality between the ITBs’ respective footprints.”

Both organisations are now reviewing the recommendations and will consult with industry on the next steps.