Vision 2020 – The Future CITB moves forward
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Yorkshire and Humber (2)
News 5 March 2018
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) today reaffirmed its commitment to its Vision 2020 programme which will see a leaner, more agile, training body that delivers the skills needed by construction firms and the British economy.
The CITB Board met last week to discuss and review the progress made so far to achieve the organisation's Vision 2020 which will modernise and repurpose the construction industry's training body.
CITB will be introducing its new Training Model and Grant scheme in April which will enable employers to get the right quality training, in the right place, at the right time. It will allow workers to train and retain their qualification record to share with future employers. CITB's new Grant scheme will open at the same time, enabling firms to receive automated grant payments, axing red tape and ensuring much needed training grants reach SMEs and micro firms in particular.
At the recent Kings Lynn roundtable meeting CITB was asked to consider a proposal to retain its Head Office at Bircham Newton until December 2019. After careful consideration the Board has confirmed the proposal based on the high level of commercial interest CITB has generated in the future development of the site. This commitment will enable CITB to work closely with local stakeholders to shape the future of the site with interested parties.
Maintaining CITB's Head Office presence at Bircham Newton on site until December 2019 will support a more rapid sale of the training college, which we anticipate to commence during the summer of 2018. CITB will then be well placed to go to market on the remainder of the site.
The adjusted timeline will continue to allow CITB to meet the mandate from industry and government to complete its reform programme by 2020.
CITB will move to a new Head Office location to create a new 'One CITB' organisation and refresh its business culture. CITB will now also be well placed to influence the future of the site, including meeting the ambition of ensuring training provision continues at Bircham Newton. This goes alongside provision for possible site development which supports the work of the Taskforce, chaired by Kings Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council and including key local partners. We will commence consultations on these proposals as soon as possible.
CITB will be releasing its outsourcing tender – a key element of the Vision 2020 programme – with an expected publication towards the end of March ensuring outsourced services can be agreed, secured and operating effectively by the end of 2018.
As ever, it is business as usual for all of CITB's customers, with the training body offering its full range of products and services for the construction industry.
Maria Pilfold, Employer CITB Board Member, said:
"After careful consideration at our Board meeting, we decided to a maintain presence at Bircham Newton no later than the end of 2019, recognising a small number of roles which may be needed to oversee final exit arrangements or development.
"CITB will keep its promise to industry to reform, moving to a new single Head Office site in 2020 which is a crucial element of our proposals. This decision offers further clarity to CITB colleagues and will enable the business to start formal consultations with employees in the near future."
Diana Garnham, Independent CITB Board Member, said:
"Our change programme has been planned to meet the expectations of both the construction industry and government, who have been clear that the status quo is not an option. Their feedback gave a very clear message that industry and government support depends on CITB's continuation of change. We are staying on track with our commitment to industry."