INDUSTRY UPDATE NEWS
M ajor training bodies should merge to fix the skills shortage. This was the message in a report by consultant Mark Farmer, commissioned by the Department for Education to review industry training boards (ITBs). Specifically, Farmer’s report said the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) “should be merged into a single rebranded body tasked with improving workforce resiliency through a single combined strategy”. The report, spanning more than 200 pages, called for the industry training board model to be retained but wanted to see “wholesale transformation” of strategic priorities, core capabilities and activities to address the “fundamental workforce resilience challenges”. The report also called for: ● retention of the ITBs’ levy-grant system, albeit ‘modernised and refocused’; and ● development of smart KPI to maximise output from levy spend with greater accountability between industry and the government. A steering group will be set up to consider implementation of all of Farmer’s recommendations. CITB Chief Executive Tim Balcon said: “Importantly, the report recognises the significant skills challenges facing the construction and engineering industries and the vital role that the ITBs play in helping address these. Further, it asserts that the
Will the CITB and ECITB merge?
build new infrastructure projects and deliver much-needed housing won’t happen unless there is a radical review of the training landscape – the Mark Farmer report shows the way forward. “If the government is to deliver its ambitious infrastructure and housing
best way of doing so is to retain the ITB model and industry-specific levies. “Grant funding for apprenticeships and new entrants is vital, with more than two-thirds of apprenticeship starts in the construction industry being employed by companies of fewer than 50 employees.” Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “For too long the construction industry has been plagued by an ongoing skills crisis which is holding back economic growth. The urgent need to
targets, then it makes sense for them to implement the Mark Farmer report in full.” Scan the QR code for the full report.
Construction boss jailed for Covid fraud
of Covid-related fraud. Bounce Back Loans were designed to support small and medium-sized businesses through the pandemic. Taxpayers’ money should not have been used for personal purposes by company directors.”
in prison and has been banned from being a company director for 10 years. David Snasdell, Chief Investigator at the
of Bounce Back Loans of £50,000 each in 2020, when companies were only entitled to one. Deda, who failed to use any of the £100,000 for the economic benefit of the business as required by the scheme, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years
The director of Berkshire- based Knight Workers Limited has been jailed after fraudulently obtaining two Covid loans for his construction business. Director Arti Deda overstated his company’s turnover to the bank to gain the maximum value
Insolvency Service, said: “This significant jail term and director disqualification reflects the seriousness
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www.fmb.org.uk
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