The report stresses the vital need for the Industrial Training Boards (ITBs) work within the construction and engineering construction industries.

It concludes that the ITB levy-grant model should be retained. Indeed, it states that the ITBs' role should be strengthened and calls on them to do more.  

It reinforces that the ECITB and CITB exist to meet the industries’ specialist skills needs. The ITBs are needed to address the market failure in training provision, driving up skill levels and incentivising training that would otherwise not occur.   

 The Minister of State for Skills, The Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern, supported many of the report's recommendations, including the retention of the ITB model.   

Among the 17 strategic recommendations, the review proposes that the CITB and ECITB should form a single body.

The Government’s position is that while greater alignment and collaboration between the two ITBs would have significant benefits, there are currently no plans to legislate to create a single body. A steering group will be set up to consider implementing all recommendations. 

In the meantime, the Minister has requested greater collaboration between the ECITB and CITB on specific areas such as infrastructure across Great Britain, increasing trainers, clean energy jobs and skills passporting. Work is already underway to develop joint action in these areas.  

Last reviewed in 2017, the ITB review assessed the role and effectiveness of both the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) and the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). The review results from a requirement set by the Cabinet Office for all public bodies to be reviewed periodically.