Employer Network Initiative Quadruples Construction Training Support

THE CITB Employer Network initiative supported 50,966 learners in its second full year of operation – an increase from 11,478 in the previous, inaugural year.

The year-end figures for the initiative, released today by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), reveal that in FY 2024-25, Employer Networks supported:

• 4,097 employers – an increase from 1,284 the previous year
• 2,655 of the employers supported are small and micro (SMEs)
• 26% of the employers supported had not claimed grant in the past 12 months

CITB Employer Networks

Employer Networks are an initiative set up and funded by CITB that offer training and financial support for employers. They give employers a direct channel to communicate their training needs and advise on how funding should be prioritised and allocated in their local area. Additionally, they enable CITB to be more responsive to industry needs regionally and nationally.

There is huge demand for skilled construction workers in the UK, with CITB’s Construction Skills Network (CSN) report forecasting the need for over 250,000 new construction workers by 2028. For almost a third (31%) of construction employers, finding suitably skilled staff remains their key challenge, particularly with more older workers retiring and not being replaced. By encouraging greater dialogue with employers and removing barriers to engagement with training, the Employer Networks aim to address the skills gap and build a stronger future for the industry.

Deb Madden, Executive Director for Nations Engagement, CITB, said: “It’s vital we have a firm grasp of what skills are required and where they’re needed across the country. Employer Networks are designed to make the training and skills system easier to navigate for employers, in turn helping to address the skills gap.

“Our latest Employer Networks figures prove the initiative has been hugely successful, and we look forward to building on this success and continue providing much-needed access to training for more employers and learners.

“There is an increasing demand for construction work in the UK, and construction employers are clearly aware of the opportunity and the need for training, with 80% of employers indicating they plan to increase their training efforts in the future. We’re always striving to improve our services and embed a culture of quality into what we do – Employer Networks are a prime example of this.”

Employers can sign up to their local Employer Network and find out more about the initiative here.

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