CITB Proceeds with Three-Year Levy

THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD (CITB) Levy Proposals to fund skills and training across England, Scotland and Wales, have completed the Consensus process gaining the backing of construction employers.

The Secretary of State for Education will now make the final decision on the issue of a new, three-year Levy Order which, if approved, would be issued for 2022-2025. This will see the Levy continue at the rates of 0.35% for PAYE and 1.25% for net paid (taxable) CIS sub-contractors.

CITB will now work with industry to agree its forward plan. The organisation says it will listen to industry feedback it received on communicating its plans and impact more clearly and ensuring its funding is relevant, accessible and easily understood.

Industry Support

Overall, 66% or two-thirds of the total number of Levy-paying employers agreed to the proposals, with 63% agreeing when measured by the total amount of Levy paid. This result was based on submissions from the 14 Prescribed Organisations, which are trade bodies representing employers across the industry, and an independent survey of 4,000 employers. Eleven of the 14 Prescribed Organisations supported the Levy Proposals.

Apprenticeships and Skills Minister Gillian Keegan said: “This last 18 months have been unusually challenging for the construction sector and that is why the CITB decided to delay the consensus process from 2020 to 2021. I recognise that Covid-19, one of the key factors for the postponement, has not gone away. Therefore, the sector’s willingness to engage with the CITB is even more valuable.

“The next step in the process to progress the Levy Proposals towards a Levy Order now rests with me; before doing so I will be considering the Proposals in detail.

“I know that the CITB will relish returning its entire focus to delivering skills provision for the construction sector at a time when it is more crucial than ever. I also want to welcome Tim Balcon in his new role as CITB CEO from 1 October and thank Sarah Beale for the great work she has done for many years in leading the CITB.”

Tim Balcon, CITB, CEO

Expressing CITB’s commitment to maximising the value of the Levy for employers, Tim Balcon, new CITB Chief Executive, said: “It’s good that so much of what employers are asking for is already in the Business Plan, so we need to make support easier to access and understand and to keep the sector better informed … providing practical and financial support for everyday training needs as well as tackling long-term skills needs.”

>> Read more about the CITB in the news