THE Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has released its year-end figures for its Employer Networks initiative, which revealed a significant increase in learners being supported.
In the second full year of operation for the initiative, the Networks supported 50,966 learners in the financial year 2024-25 – an increase from 11,468 in the inaugural year.
The figures also reveal that in FY 2024-25, Employer Networks supported:
- 4,097 employers – an increase from 1,284 the previous year
- 2,655 of the employers supported are small and micro (SMEs)
- 26% of the employers supported had not claimed grant in the past 12 months
Employer Networks are an initiative set up and funded by CITB that offer bespoke training and financial support for employers. They give employers a direct channel to communicate their training needs and advise on how funding should be prioritised and allocated in their local area.
CITB’s Construction Skills Network (CSN) report has forecasted the need for over 250,000 new construction workers in the UK by 2028. For almost a third of construction employers, finding suitably skilled staff remains their key challenge.
Deb Madden, executive director for nations engagement, CITB, said, “It’s vital we have a firm grasp of what skills are required and where they’re needed across the country. Employer Networks are designed to make the training and skills system easier to navigate for employers, in turn helping to address the skills gap.
“Our latest Employer Networks figures prove the initiative has been hugely successful, and we look forward to building on this success and continue providing much-needed access to training for more employers and learners.
“There is an increasing demand for construction work in the UK, and construction employers are clearly aware of the opportunity and the need for training, with 80% of employers indicating they plan to increase their training efforts in the future. We’re always striving to improve our services and embed a culture of quality into what we do – Employer Networks are a prime example of this.”
Employers can sign up to their local Employer Network and find out more about the initiative here.
