Employer network pilot

Paul Gaze - CEO, Hire Association Europe said:

“Hire Association Europe is delighted to be working with CITB on the Sector Employer Network Programme. It is vital that we invest in the plant, tool and equipment workforce to develop the required skills and competencies, as the sector underpins the wider construction industry. Nothing gets built, maintained or repaired without the professional hire and rental workforce. We commend CITB for its investment in developing the skills to drive forward construction”. 

Farhan Sattar - CITB Homebuilding Employer Network Manager said:

"Housing has been identified as a major area of demand in the CITB Construction Skills Network Report Five Year Outlook, 2023-2027. Developing and investing in the Homebuilding workforce is vital to ensuring that the sector can continue to support growth and build the homes the country needs."

"This network will support employers across all the trades involved in the Homebuilding sector, to develop a fully skilled workforce. Providing the skills they need right now and into the future, in a simple and effective way”.

Alastair Melvin - Employer Network Manager for Dundee and Angus said:

“My role as the Employer Network Manager across Dundee and Angus is a great opportunity for me to support companies taking part in this exciting new initiative.

Local employers can come together and collectively tell us what their specific needs are, in terms of skills gaps and training - we’re here to listen and support. 

We’ll be working with local providers for delivery, whilst making the process simple and straightforward for employers.

This pilot is a fantastic opportunity for us to help your business develop and give you easy access to the right training”.

Katie Smith - Employer Network Manager for Swindon and Wiltshire said:

“An exciting opportunity is coming to Swindon and Wiltshire with the first Employer Network to be started within South West England.  

This is a fantastic opportunity for employers in Swindon & Wiltshire to get involved and access training in a new streamlined way. There’s no need to navigate CITB systems, as it will all be organised by the us.

We’ll listen to what you as employers need help with and collectively decide how we can support you to get the training you need.

I’m excited to start the Swindon & Wiltshire Employer Network and help to close the local skills gap with training”. 

Judi Minty - Employer Network Manager for Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire said:

“This is a great opportunity for employers across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire to come together and collectively tell us what their specific needs are in terms of skills gaps and training - we’re here to listen and support. 

We will work with local providers for delivery, whilst making the process simple and straightforward for employers.

We’ll be supporting employers with the skills they need now and in the future”

Sharon Brown - Employer Network Manager for Greater Manchester said:

“This is an exciting time for Greater Manchester employers in the first CITB Employer Network in the North West.   

CITB is committed to addressing the skills challenges and this pilot is a fantastic opportunity for us to help your business develop and give you easy access to the right training. It’s employer led, simple to access and offers a broad scope of training.

We’re looking forward to working with you”.

Herman Kok - Lindum Group Ltd said: 

"As chair of Lincolnshire LGTA l am excited and looking forward to delivering an ‘employer network pilot scheme'. We will collaboratively deliver innovative training support for Lincolnshire based construction companies and their supply chains. We are grateful for the support we receive from CITB for these activities". 

Stacey Felmingham - Office Coordinator, Aspect Group Services Ltd said:

“Having the Employer Network has enabled us to offer a wider variety of training courses to our team both on site and in the office.  With the support from the Norfolk Construction Training Group we have been able to navigate the process effectively and efficiently."

"The simplicity and broad scope of the initiative has allowed us to offer training to more employees than we initially budgeted for over the year, which is fantastic news as a business and for the individual."

Andrea Gravell - Resource Director, Lloyd & Gravell Ltd, Llanelli said:

"We heard about the Cyfle Employer Network through Carmarthenshire Construction Training Association Ltd.  By tapping into the training organised by the local employer network contractors are able to benefit from training that would otherwise be difficult to source and more expensive, as training providers require a minimum number to run a training course." 

"Working with the employer network, training has been organised to meet our operational requirements within the timescales required, as opposed to having to wait for sufficient numbers to run a training course. The additional funding made available through the network has enabled us to use our training budget to increase training opportunities across the company."

Kelsey Burnett - Training Coordinator, Luddon Construction Ltd, Scottish Civils said:

"We got involved as we thought this was an excellent idea, especially for companies who don’t utilise the grant claims from CITB, and for smaller companies who may not be aware of the funding available to them, or how to access it." 

"To support our organisational development plans, we’ve already booked in a number of upskilling courses for our existing staff. The increased funding has helped our business financially, allowing us to organise even more training, with no additional admin or claim forms to be submitted in order to receive the funding."

"The reduced administration has allowed our staff to focus on other things and knowing the employer network had everything in place on our behalf was such a weight lifted from our shoulders, knowing the funding was in hand."