The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) scheme is being led by employer networks and is running for just one year.

The subsidised training fund is available to all CITB registered companies and is designed to simplify the way construction businesses get the support and funding they need to access the training they want.

The employer network has been set up by CITB and coordinated by local network groups across the regions, including Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire, and Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion.

The scheme is being coordinated by Cyfle Building Skills, and the employer networks chosen for each region are Swansea Bay Construction Support Group for Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, CCTAL for Carmarthenshire, and Dyfed Training Group (DTG) for Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion.

As these employer networks are organising the administration of the scheme, there is no need for individual businesses to fill in the CITB forms to apply for the grant.

CITB chief executive Tim Balcon said: “I’m really excited about this pilot – this is about putting employers in the driving seat to identify and address their local skills challenges and how best CITB can align our funding and resources to support their skills needs. I would encourage employers in the pilot areas to get involved and use their voice to shape the local training provision.”

Gemma Mineur, training coordinator for Neath Port Talbot and Swansea, added:

“We are encouraging CITB registered businesses and employers to come forward and access the fund to get the training they need. Collectively, the construction employers in the pilot areas will shape the way the funds provided by CITB are spent. If the pilot is a success, it could radically change the way training is funded by CITB, so please get in touch with your regional employer network representative to find out what funding you could get.”

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