CITB NI: Training within construction is more important now than ever
The Northern Ireland Construction Industry activity has been greatly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. However, as we emerge from the pandemic both economic and industry growth is expected to return over the next number of years, writes CITB NI’s CEO Barry Neilson.
CITB NI’s support for training will continue to remain paramount over the upcoming years to serve our industry while it recovers and grows again.
Throughout the pandemic crisis, CITB NI committed to continuing to provide additional support, advice and guidance to local construction employers in relation to levy and grant as well as ensuring training initiatives were accessible by moving them online.
During this time we continued to deliver to the industry, in 2020 we paid out £1.75 million in grant funding to local employers, held our very first Women in Construction Summit, expanded the mental health training for local employers and continued to promote construction as a career option for the youth market.
We have encouraged our industry to continue to train during the difficult times to develop the skills of their workforce to help overcome challenges, learn more and be altogether better and stronger.
Our grant scheme and training programmes are widely recognised within the industry and we continue to provide both training and financial support for employers. We also support the Government Apprenticeship Recovery Package which gives employers the chance to retain and recruit apprentices and help to protect and improve this talent pipeline to sustain the future of construction.
Looking towards the future, CITB NI will continue to focus on providing the support and services needed to ensure local businesses are equipped with all the right skills. We will continue to work with contractors, professional and trade bodies to support training and skills development for the overall benefit of the industry.
“We have encouraged our industry to continue to train during the difficult times to develop the skills of their workforce to help overcome challenges, learn more and be altogether better and stronger.”
CITB NI will also continue to follow the strategic road map developed in recent years, under our themes to benefit the Industry: Training Hub; Quality Standards; Partnership Work; Commercial Opportunities; and Embracing Innovation.
We, along with the rest of the industry, are looking at the measures we have had to put in place as a result of Covid-19. Some of these measures suggest that we consider new ways of developing our workforce and imagine these will enhance rather than replace what has gone before. Through a mix of grant funding and direct training interventions CITB NI will help develop the workforce to meet client needs and grow their business.
For further information on what we can do to help you and your construction training, log on to www.citbni.org.uk, like us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/CITBNorthernIreland or follow the discussion on Twitter @CITBNI , Instagram @CITB1 and LinkedIn http://linkd.in/1GBeyLf
CITB NI
17 Dundrod Road
Crumlin
BT29 4SR
