Government Launches Industrial Training Board Review

THE DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION (DfE) will soon announce its scheduled review into the role and effectiveness of both the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB).

Last undertaken in 2017, the ITB review will assess the extent to which each Arm’s Length Body (ALB) performs effectively and delivers services that meet the needs of industry. The review is a requirement set by the Cabinet Office for all public bodies to be reviewed periodically.

Industrial Training Board Review

The review is part of a wider programme across government to ensure that ALBs remain effective into the future.

The review will consider the ongoing need for the Industry Training Boards (ITBs), the effectiveness of the levy process and how it is invested, so that they continue to deliver for the public and represent a responsible use of levy funds.

It will consider the ITBs’ operating models, governance, accountability models and impact.

CITB says it will be working closely with the review team to make visible its present impact, and to demonstrate its plans and industry collaboration to deliver skills and training for the challenges ahead.

The review will be led by an independent lead reviewer, Mark Farmer, CEO of Cast Consultancy. He will be supported by a team of civil servants from the DfE. The review will also access expertise from the respective industries that the ITBs support as well as from across Whitehall.

Call for Evidence

The DfE is set to announce a call for evidence from stakeholders on gov.uk and says it would particularly welcome contributions from employers in scope of the existing CITB levy orders, as well as trade bodies and representative groups from the construction industry. The call for evidence will inform early recommendations to ministers in late summer.

The DfE will provide contact details for submissions of evidence in the near future.

A final report and recommendations are expected to be submitted to the Secretary of State for Education at the end of 2023. Ministers will then assess the recommendations and determine the Government’s response having taken CITB views on the recommendations into account.

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