Pro Installer March 2016 - Issue 36 | Page 61

61 PRO INSTALLER MARCH 2016 PRO RECRUITMENT @proinstaller1 CHANGE ON HORIZON AS CITB PLANS FOR NEXT THREE YEARS The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) – which has been drawing up its business plan for the next three years - is funding the development of a new scaffolding training facility at the ASET Training Academy in Aberdeen. The board says there is a real lack of scaffolders in that region and so this ‘top quality’ training academy will tackle that shortage at the point of need. This academy is just one example of how CITB can work with training providers to give industry the skills it needs, rather than always delivering training directly, which can take longer and cost more. CITB has been meeting employers and federations to discuss its business plan. It has been driven by consistent feedback from CITB customers, who say the board needs to change in order to become more cost-effective and relevant. Central to the board’s plan is returning more levy money directly back to the industry through funding and grants. Currently, CITB returns around 84% of the funds received from the industry levy. Under the new plan, and underpinned by efficiency savings, the board will increase this to around 90%. In addition to this direct funding, employers will also get CITB support and services plus industry-wide initiatives, like Go Construct. In the past, employers have found it difficult to take full advantage of CITB services because they can be slow and hard to access. Conversely, many of its new digital services have been positively received. For example, a ‘How to apply for a CSCS card’ YouTube video has been viewed almost 100,000 times, saving employers from having to call to ask this basic question. ‘This academy is just one example of how CITB can work with training providers to give industry the skills it needs, rather than always delivering training directly, which can take longer and cost more.’ The CDM Wizard, a free app CITB developed to help employers meet new health and safety regulations, has also been downloaded over 45,000 times. Taking these successes on board, the CITB will make basic transactions increasingly digital, freeing up time for its customer facing teams to help employers with their critical skills needs. As a result of these changes, some roles will be phased out over the next three years and by the end of 2018, CITB’s total headcount will be reduced by around 30%, with 5% of this reduction already achieved. RECRUITING FOR WINDOW FITTERS AND PVCU INSTALLERS? Advertise your vacancy in our regular monthly feature RECRUITMENT Contact Steve Fretwell to discuss further 01226 321 450