Employers should have clearer pathways to engage in skills and training: CITB

​​​​​​​CITB’s research shows that the UK will need over 47,000 additional workers in the industry every year to meet demand

The announcement in the Budget of funding for the Youth Guarantee and for making apprenticeship training for people under-25 free for small and medium enterprises is welcome news for CITB.

Particularly, considering recent Government figures showing that nearly a million young people are not in employment, education, or training.

Tim Balcon, Chief Executive of the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), said: “We need to get more people into construction – our research shows the UK will need over 47,000 additional workers in the industry every year to meet demand. Employers must have simpler and clearer pathways to engage in skills and training.

“This would be an excellent way to build on the Government’s £600 million construction skills package announced earlier this year, which aims to help young people transition into regular employment.

“Nonetheless, we need to ensure construction growth is stimulated and that we have clear pipelines of work, so that employers have the confidence to invest in skills.

“By investing in skills, creating clear career pathways, and promoting the incredible opportunities construction offers, we can build a workforce ready for the future.”