“Apprenticeships are the most important thing because that is where you get the broad base investment in skills over two and three years. We work closely with colleges, bringing learners, employers and providers together,” explained Radley.

In the last two years CITB has increased the level of grants available for apprenticeships by around 30%. Over a two-year-lifecycle of an apprenticeship the training board can now contribute GBP£8,500.

“We provide a lot of support to employers in terms of grants, putting them together with training providers, making sure they are on the right training programmes, they get the right funding for apprenticeships, and they grow the pipeline of people ready to start apprenticeships by offering working experience,” said Radley.

CITB has also started a scheme that allows smaller firms to share the cost of apprenticeships. The programme, although small with just 200 employers involved, offers a flexible alternative for the UK’s army of small to medium sized builders and tradespeople that make up 90% of the industry.

The training board also points to the high completion rate of its apprentice programmes as further proof that it is successfully addressing the skills deficit.

CITB apprenticeship programmes boast a 69% completion rate, “versus an industry average of 62%”, commented Radley.

Creative and flexible apprenticeship options are key if the CITB is to restore confidence among its core stakeholders. In the run up to the consensus vote on its right to collect the industry levy, Build UK publicly rebuked the training board for its performance.

“The level of support during this consensus process was significantly lower than in previous years and there remains widespread frustration with the performance of CITB,” it said.

“Build UK is clear that construction needs an industry training board that is fit for purpose, responsive and effective at delivering the services and support required to meet the industry’s skills needs, and that members are not prepared to wait another three years to see fundamental changes in CITB’s delivery in order to fulfil its role.”

Build UK, the National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC), and the National Association of Shopfitters and Interior Contractors (NSA) have all backed CITB’s levy proposal.

However, the Finishers and Interiors Sector (FIS) refused to back proposals for a second time, over the lack of return it feels its members get from paying the tax.