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Top Ten Credit Control Tips for construction companies

Thursday 06 Oct 2016
The late payment of business debts is one of the biggest problems faced by construction companies. Late payment is more than an inconvenience; it is a major hindrance to cash flow and a drain on profitability. It can mean that your business growth is stifled while you fund another's expansion. Remember the key to successful cash flow is good planning. You should know exactly when payments are due in and out of your bank account.Effective credit management, aimed at reducing the risk of late payment and bad debt, is therefore an essential part of good business practice.

Energy Efficient Construction Seminars

Tuesday 12 Nov 2013
Dates & Venues

Friday 6th December 2013, Killyhevlin Hotel, Enniskillen, 11.00 - 15.30
Wednesday 5th February 2014, CITB-ConstructionSkills NI, Crumlin, 09.00 - 13.30

The Federation of Master Builders and CITB-ConstructionSkills NI are joining forces once again to deliver two seminars on energy efficient construction.

The seminars will begin with an overview of the NI government’s recent energy efficiency strategies, including energy efficiency improvements in NIHE housing stock, the Affordable Warm Homes Scheme and the Empty Homes Strategy. Delegates will then hear from a number of local construction companies who will provide an insight into the practicalities of implementing sustainable and energy efficient techniques in their own projects.

Make Health and Safety your business

Tuesday 12 Nov 2013
Northern Ireland Safety Group celebrates 60 years promoting Occupational Health & Safety by running a major Conference in Belfast in November.

With 7 of the 9 presenters flying in to speak the Safety Group can guarantee this will be the most prestigious Conference ever held in the Province in this sector.

Women in Construction Event

Friday 25 Oct 2013
CITB-ConstructionSkills NI’s Women in Construction Network held an event on Wednesday 23rd October 2013. The event was attended by a wide range of women and one gentleman from the industry including engineers, directors, tradespeople and even a school pupil.


Software that calculates the skills and labour required on the lifetime of a construction project h

Tuesday 19 Nov 2013
The Labour Forecasting Tool (LFT) is a web-based application designed to help construction companies manage their labour needs and meet project deadlines. It can also be used to quantify community benefits from development projects during and after construction – potentially useful in the planning process.

The only information required to use the LFT is the project type, its value or gross floor area and start and end dates. Forecasts are provided on a month-by-month basis for 26 trades and professions, and are continuously calibrated as soon as new data becomes available.
The LFT has been developed by CITB (GB) in collaboration with Whole Life Consultants, the entrepreneurial arm of the University of Dundee.

Funded Business Improvement Programme – NVQ Level 5 Diploma in Management

Monday 18 Nov 2013
CITB-ConstructionSkills NI in partnership with the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) and the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) are offering a Pilot Group Programme approach to achieving an NVQ Level 5 in Management & Leadership and evidence towards Investors in People (IIP) accreditation. There has been a great level of interest in this programme and places are filling up quickly

This programme is targeted at experienced managers/business owners who currently manage individuals and/or teams who wish to implement good practice resulting in improved business performance and achieve a recognised National Qualification.

NVQ Level 5 - funded business programme

Tuesday 19 Nov 2013
CITB-ConstructionSkills NI in partnership with the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) and the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) are offering a Pilot Group Programme approach to achieving an NVQ Level 5 in Management & Leadership and evidence towards Investors in People (IIP) accreditation. There has been a great level of interest in this programme and places are filling up quickly

This programme is targeted at experienced managers/business owners who currently manage individuals and/or teams who wish to implement good practice resulting in improved business performance and achieve a recognised National Qualification.

Local Construction Apprentices Scoop 8 Medals at the The Skills Show.

Friday 22 Nov 2013
Five gold, two silver and one bronze medals were awarded in construction skills ranging from carpentry to wall and floor tiling. Three members of the team were also highly commended in carpentry, electrical installation and joinery.
The Skills Show is the UK’s largest skills and careers event, which celebrates the importance of skills to economic growth. Taking part enables competitors to build on their skills, test their knowledge against their peers and showcase their potential to current and future employers. During the three days of the Show, over 700 of the UK’s most talented apprentices and learners competed in front of 100,000 visitors in the WorldSkills UK National competition finals to aspire to be the best in the UK in their skill area.

New textbook for GCSE in Construction & Built Environment

Saturday 04 Jan 2014
CITB-ConstructionSkills NI has launched a brand new textbook to support the delivery of GCSE in Construction and the Built Environment qualification.

CITB-ConstructionSkills NI accompanies Minister on fact finding mission to Germany

Saturday 04 Jan 2014
Housing Minister Nelson McCausland has visited several housing projects in Stuttgart, Germany.

The fact finding mission visited several housing sites which have been refurbished and new build projects in the Stuttgart region of Germany.



CITB-ConstructionSkills NI News Update

Tuesday 10 Dec 2013
A summary of CITB-ConstructionSkills NI news which appeared in the press during November 2013.

Christmas Closure

Thursday 12 Dec 2013
We will be closing for the Christmas break on Friday 20th December, re-opening on Thursday 2nd January 2014. We would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2014!

Train and Claim your Grant and be ahead of the game.

Monday 06 Jan 2014
CITB-ConstructionSkills NI has a £1.1 m training grant scheme for the local construction industry to help boost skills and prepare for the industry returning to growth.

Calling all traditional building practitoners

Friday 02 May 2014
The Ulster Architectural Heritage Society in partnership with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency are updating the Directory of Traditional Building Skills.

Top GCSE construction students praised at annual building awards

Monday 27 Jan 2014
The students who gained the highest grades in GCSE Construction and Built Environment were recognised by CITB-ConstructionSkills NI at the annual Chartered Institute of Building Awards held at Nutts Corner.

Celebrating Excellence at the Annual CIOB Awards

Monday 27 Jan 2014
CIOB members and guests celebrated the success of local students at the 2014 Annual Lecture and Awards ceremony last week hosted by CITB-ConstructionSkills NI.


Recovery on the Horizon for the Northern Ireland Construction Industry

Wednesday 29 Jan 2014
After a difficult five years, with the recession biting hard for Northern Ireland construction employers, the future for construction in the Province is finally looking brighter. Private housing, infrastructure and industrial work are all expected to help push the sector towards growth and around 1,280 new construction workers will be needed yearly over the next five years in Northern Ireland, according to the Construction Skills Network (CSN) report, published today by ConstructionSkills.

Local Construction Managers to benefit from new innovative Business Improvement Programme.

Tuesday 04 Feb 2014

CITB-ConstructionSkills NI together with the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) and the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) have launched an innovative Pilot Programme for Construction Managers to improve management skills, gain a valuable qualification and help implement good business practice all at minimum cost.

New Shared Apprenticeship Programme NI

Wednesday 05 Mar 2014
CITB ConstructionSkills NI and Fusion21 are working together to pilot a novel way to employ apprenticeships for the construction industry. The Shared Apprenticeship Programme NI allows apprentices to complete a full apprenticeship programme by working with a number of different employers, to gain the skill sets they require to become qualified. Throughout the duration of the training the apprentice will also obtain their level 3 Vocational Qualification through the normal College system. This pilot will produce highly qualified and experienced apprentices who are work ready for the industry.

Press Clippings for December & January

Wednesday 05 Feb 2014
A summary of CITB-ConstructionSkills NI news which appeared in the press during December/January 2014.

New Drop In Events for Construction Employers

Monday 24 Feb 2014
CITB-ConstructionSkills NI have developed Drop In Events for construction employers in Derry/L'derry and Omagh. The idea of these events is for construction employers to 'drop in' and have the opportunity to gain advice and guidance on grants, training,  Mobile Training Unit and much more.

Celebrating Vocational Achievement: VQ Day Wednesday 4 June 2014

Wednesday 26 Feb 2014
VQ Day is a national celebration of the impact that vocational qualifications (VQs) have on learners and employers. It shines a light on and recognises the millions of talented and skilled people throughout the UK who have been awarded VQs and used them as a platform for building successful careers. It also recognises those employers that have embraced VQs within their workplace.

Belfast school students get a chance to ‘Have a Go at Construction Trades’

Tuesday 11 Mar 2014
150 students from 6 schools in West Belfast got a chance to get hands on experience of brickwork, joinery, painting & decorating and wall & floor tiling at the ‘Have a Go’ programme held at Nutts Corner last week.

Press Clipping for February

Tuesday 11 Mar 2014
A summary of CITB-ConstructionSkills NI news which appeared in the press during February 2014.

CITB-ConstructionSkills NI will be at the Belfast 'Meet the Buyer' Event

Tuesday 11 Mar 2014
CITB-ConstructionSkills NI is attending the 'Meet the Buyer' event hosted by Constructionline on 27 March at La Mon Hotel 8.30am - 3.00pm.  Come and discuss work opportunities face-to-face with local main contractors and public sector buyers.

Heritage Lottery Funding Award to boost local joinery skills

Wednesday 12 Mar 2014
CITB-ConstructionSkills NI has secured £379,000 in funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) under its Skills for the Future programme to deliver the first ever Heritage Specialist Apprenticeship Programme in Wood Occupations in Northern Ireland.

CIC's 2050 Group want to hear your views

Tuesday 18 Mar 2014
The Construction Industry Council (CIC) 2050 Group has launched a major survey to gain an on-the-ground perspective of what inspires people working in construction today.

It invites professionals across all disciplines and of all ages and stages in their careers to participate and in so doing provide an insider’s view of what will constitute a successful industry and work environment, going forward.

Training is good for your business, how CITB-ConstructionSkills NI can help you achieve success.

Monday 24 Mar 2014
Skills and training are the central core of our business, we at CITB-ConstructionSkills NI understand the importance of training and the positive affects it can have both internally and externally.

We also are aware of the current economic climate and in these hard times training is not always at the top of the business agenda.

For the best part of 50 years, CITB-ConstructionSkills NI has been working with the construction industry to meet its skills and training needs. Now, in as we begin to recover from a deep recession, it is essential that we continue to support the industry in developing the highly skilled workers it needs to meet the immediate challenges and prepare for the future.


Southern Regional College to Host Skillbuild NI Regional Final

Tuesday 06 May 2014
Southern Regional College in partnership with CITB-Construction Skills NI will host the prestigious SkillbuildNI 2014 National Finals at the College’s Greenbank campus in Newry on 7th and 8th of May, to find the best young talent in the construction industries in Northern Ireland.

Easter Closure

Thursday 17 Apr 2014

The offices of CITB-ConstructionSkills NI will close at 4pm on Friday 18th April and re-open on Monday 28th April 2014. We would like to wish you all a Happy Easter!

CITB joins Twitter @CITBNI

Friday 02 May 2014
CITB-ConstructionSkills NI has joined the world of Twitter. We will update all news and topics of interest through our twitter handle @CITBNI. So why don't you follow us and keep up to date with all the latest!

Construction Industry Views Sought on NOS Review for Built Environment & Consultancy Practice

Tuesday 06 May 2014
Construction Industry Council (CIC) has completed a review of the national occupational standards (NOS) for Built Environment Development and Consultancy Practice. The review has focussed on integrating new industry practices relating to sustainability, energy use, low carbon and Building Information Modelling.

CIC are seeking confirmation from the sector that the standards are fit for purpose and invite you to participate in our on line consultation.

Skillbuild NI 2014

Tuesday 06 May 2014

Come along to the Skillbuild Competition on 7&8 May in Southern Regional College, Greenbank Campus between 10am - 3pm.
The competition involves eleven crafts from brickwork to wall & floor tiling and is the largest multi-trade competition for young students and apprentices aged 21 and under in the country. Check out the Skillbuild NI website www.citbcsni.org.uk/skillbuildni for more information.


Sustainable Products for Sustainable Building Conference and Site Visit

Wednesday 07 May 2014
Thursday 12th June 2014, Agri-Food and Bioscience Institution, Hillsborough, 10.00am – 4.00pm

This event, run by Smart ECO Hub and supported by CITB-ConstructionSkills NI, will give designers, specifiers and builders an opportunity to find out what is available both in Ireland / Northern Ireland and further afield and how they might be used in new and renovation building products. Please see attached flyer for more details. To register e-mail:  info@smartecohub.com



Cream of Construction apprentices put their skills to the test at Skillbuild 2014

Monday 12 May 2014

Just under one hundred competitors from across Northern Ireland tested their skills in 11 different construction trades at Skillbuild 2014, held at the Southern Regional College in Newry on 7 & 8 May 2014.

Skillbuild NI, run by CITB-ConstructionSkills NI, is held annually each spring with the top local construction apprentices competing to win coveted titles ranging from brickwork to wall and floor tiling. The winners may then go on to represent Northern Ireland in the Skills Show UK and potentially at WorldSkills.

Small Business Safety Seminar

Wednesday 14 May 2014
The NI Safety Group are hosting a Small Business Safety Seminar on 2nd June 8.45am -12.45pm at Antrim Enterprise Agency. The seminar will focus on the must do steps in achieving compliance with health and safety law.

Meet the Buyer: Windsor Park Stadium

Monday 19 May 2014
Interested in meeting the buyers for the Windsor Park stadium development?

A Meet the Buyer event will be held:

When: Thursday 29 May 2014
Where: Great Hall, City Hall
Time: Registration at 09.45am, event starts at 10.00am.


At this event businesses will find out about current and upcoming sub contracting opportunities arising from the Windsor Park stadium development.

Directory of Building Skills Launch Fri 27th June

Tuesday 27 May 2014

 

The Ulster Architectural Heritage Society are launching their NEW ONLINE Directory of Traditional Building Skills on Friday 27th June at the recently converted Duncairn Arts & Heritage Centre, Belfast. For more information www.uahs.org.uk

Consultation on revised Construction Senior Management occupational standards

Wednesday 28 May 2014

Construction Industry Council has completed a review of the national occupational standards (NOS) for Construction Senior Management. The review has focussed on integrating new industry practices relating to sustainability, energy use, low carbon and Building Information Modelling. 

 We are seeking confirmation from the sector that the standards are fit for purpose and invite you to participate in our on line consultation.

 

Construction Excellence Awards 2014

Tuesday 03 Jun 2014

The CEF Specify Construction Excellence Awards 2014 have now been launched.  The Awards, in their 15th year, provide a unique opportunity to showcase the best of our local construction industry and celebrate its achievements. 

Press clippings for May 2014

Tuesday 10 Jun 2014
A summary of CITB-ConstructionSkills NI news which appeared in the press during May 2014.

Press Clippings for June 2014

Monday 07 Jul 2014
A summary of CITB-ConstructionSkills NI news which appeared in the press during June 2014.

We are moving back to CITB NI

Monday 01 Sep 2014
We are moving back to CITB NI

We are making a change to our name from CITB-ConstructionSkills NI back to CITB NI. As we focus more on serving our industry in NI and working more closely with NI employers we feel our original name, CITB NI, better reflects this. We think this will make it simpler for you, our customers to do business with us.

Book the Mobile Training Unit Now.......

Friday 13 Nov 2015
The Mobile Training Unit (MTU) provides a convenient way of meeting training requirements with minimum disruption to site work.

The unit travels across Northern Ireland delivering short duration health and safety courses such as confined spaces, excavations, manual handling and working at heights, encouraging the industry to build safely.

Due to operational requirements we are introducing from 1 Jan 2016 a flat rate for hire of MTU to include driver and instructor.

CITB NI are evolving, celebrating 50 years supporting the local construction industry.

Monday 15 Sep 2014
The Construction Industry Training Board, established in 1964 are celebrating 50 years of leading the way in identifying the skills and training needs of the local construction industry. The organisation has changed significantly over the past 5 decades and has served the industry during both the high boom times and the low recessional times. With this in mind the organisation, more recently known as CITB-ConstructionSkills NI will now revert back to its original trading name, CITB NI in order to help celebrate the successes of the past 50 years and also reflect better the work with local employers

New Shared Apprenticeship Scheme

Thursday 22 Oct 2015
CITB ConstructionSkills NI and GEL Ltd are working together to pilot a novel way to employ apprenticeships for the construction industry. The Shared Apprenticeship Programme NI allows apprentices to complete a full apprenticeship programme by working with a number of different employers, to gain the skill sets they require to become qualified. Throughout the duration of the training the apprentice will also obtain their level 3 Vocational Qualification through the normal College system.

Press Clippings for August 2014

Monday 15 Sep 2014
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during the month of August 2014.

Press Clippings for August 2014

Monday 15 Sep 2014
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during August 2014

1000 Free NVQs for the construction industry

Thursday 27 Nov 2014
Are you a private sector employer who would benefit from a qualified workforce? Are you an experienced, employed private sector construction worker who has never been qualified. This scheme could be for you
Registration is now open, act now to take advantage of this opportunity to have your skills and experience assessed and achieve a qualification

Calling all teachers - order your new GCSE construction textbook now for the new school year

Sunday 28 Jun 2015
This textbook will support the current GCSE in Construction and the Built Environment and is aimed at students undertaking the qualification. The textbook will assist with
preparation for examination of Unit 1 - The Construction Industry for the 21st Century with at least a chapter devoted to each major section of the specification.
 

Local Traditional Joinery Skills Boosted Through Heritage Training

Thursday 24 Apr 2014
CITB NI has hosted the first ever Heritage Specialist Apprenticeship Programme in Wood Occupations in Northern Ireland. 11 local experienced carpenters and joiners  completed the first 10 days of a 20 day off-the-job training programme delivered at Nutts Corner Training Centre.  The training programme focused on structured practical training to enhance trainee joinery skills for the traditional building sector. 

Opportunities in Built Heritage

Tuesday 25 Feb 2014
CITB NI has received funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) under its ‘Skills for the Future’ programme for the delivery of the first ever Heritage Specialist Apprenticeship Programme in wood occupations in NI and are seeking a team of Heritage Ambassadors/Mentors. An opportunity has also become available to join the Heritage Specialist Apprentice programme in Conservation and Workshop Joinery. Read on for more details.......

Minister Launches Second Phase of ‘Upskilling’ Initiative for Construction Sector

Tuesday 17 Jun 2014
Minister for Employment & Learning, Dr Stephen Farry today has launched the second phase of the ‘Qualifying the Existing Workforce’ initiative at Nutts Corner Training Centre.

This ‘Qualifying the Existing Workforce’ project aims to qualify 1000 currently unqualified, experienced, employed construction workers to NVQ Level 2, helping to increase productivity and meet the industry’s skills challenge.
The project is a joint initiative by the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL), CITB NI and the Joint Council for the Building & Civil Engineering Industry (NI).

Construction employers – help your placement student develop skills for the workplace and get £1,000

Saturday 17 May 2014
 
To work in the construction industry you need to be equipped with specific skills and information that relate to the workplace. CITB NI  offers a FREE Undergraduate Development Programme for construction and built environment students currently on their placement year.  CITB NI registered employers who enrol their placement students on the Undergraduate Development Programme are eligible to receive a £1000 employer grant.

CITB NI celebrating the past 50 yrs and looking forward to the future

Tuesday 16 Sep 2014
The Construction Industry Training Board, established in 1964 is celebrating 50 years of leading the way in identifying the skills and training needs of the local construction industry.  In order to mark this special anniversary the organisation brought together Board members past and present to acknowledge how they have served the industry over the past 5 decades during both high boom times and low recessional times and look forward to the next 50 years and beyond with hope and optimism.

Celebrating 50 years in the industry

Sunday 20 Apr 2014
We have developed a short video to celebrate our 50th Anniversary and acknowledge our new branding.

CIC2050 Group Construction Industry Survey finds 80% of professionals feel that they make a positive

Thursday 03 Jul 2014
The Construction Industry Council (CIC) 2050 Group today publishes the results of its national online survey, carried out in February and March this year, to find out if people are satisfied working in the industry and what inspires them. It sought views on four key themes: Attitudes to the Industry; Progress on Sustainability; Social Media; Innovation.
 
Over 700 people working in the construction industry took part in the survey, representing a good cross-section of the professions, and including those in facilities management, academia and sales and marketing. The overall response was overwhelmingly positive to working in construction with 83% saying they are proud to work in the industry and 55% believe theirs is an inspiring job.

Press Clippings October 2014

Wednesday 10 Sep 2014
A summary of CITB Ni news which appeared in the press during the month of October 2014.

Trainer Courses for Micro Construction Employers

Saturday 27 Sep 2014
Well trained employees are safer, better skilled, work faster and make fewer mistakes. Investing in long term approach to training will save time in the future as trained staff will be able to take on more responsibility – leaving you more time to think about developing your business.
With this in mind CITB NI is offering courses to help train individuals in developing and delivering short training sessions within a small construction company who employ less than 10 people.
These courses are free of charge to CITB NI registered employers and will provide an opportunity to have someone in your company trained on how to deliver training sessions.

Check out our latest Newsletter

Friday 12 Sep 2014
Find out about the latest news and events with CITB NI's Newsletter

CITB NI Throws Support behind Building and Design Trade Event

Wednesday 18 Jun 2014
CITB NI is supporting and attending the very first Northern Builder Trade Show – Belfast’s Big Building and Design Trade Show, which will be running from Wednesday 19th to Thursday 20th November. The event is set to attract a diverse range of visitors, ranging from building contractors, architects, consultants and builders’ merchants to facilities managers, training centres, government and public sector bodies.

Celebration of success for local Construction Managers

Monday 27 Oct 2014
Employment and Learning Minister, Dr Stephen Farry today presented awards to 21 local construction managers who have gained the NVQ Level 5 Diploma in Management.
 
The awards are part of an innovative pilot Business Improvement Programme organised by CITB NI in partnership with Federation of Master Builders (FMB) and the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) which has brought together local construction business owners and managers to implement good practice techniques resulting in improved business performance.

FREE BASE Scaffolding Course

Wednesday 27 Aug 2014
FREE BASE Scaffolding Course aimed at Housebuilders now available.
This course normally costs £650 and is being funded by DEL and CITB NI.

Press Clippings for December 2014

Friday 08 Aug 2014
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during the month of November 2014.

From Bricks to Bytes - more technology skills needed for the modern day construction industry.

Thursday 02 Jul 2015
Skills gaps within the NI construction industry are on the increase and the number of employers anticipating the need to upskill in the year ahead has increased, according to research carried out by CITB NI in 2014.   
CITB NI conduct a regular programme of research in relation to the local industry and most recently this included the research ‘Skills and Training in the Construction Industry 2014’, which looked at a wide range of topic areas including recruitment difficulties, skills shortages,  skills gaps and upskilling. 

The research showed that although skills gaps amongst the existing construction workforce are not extensive, they have increased in recent years and whilst the skills gaps reported are mainly job specific, IT related skills is one area were skills are also frequently reported as lacking.  

Local Construction Employers Value the Levy/Grant System

Wednesday 17 Dec 2014
CITB NI’s mission is to develop and embed a training culture which will improve the skills and productivity of the Northern Ireland construction industry. We anually survey 100 employers gauging opinions on the work CITB NI carries out. To this effect 74% of employers think the levy/grant system is important for maintaining quality of training within the industry and 86% of employers believe the system should continue.


CITB NI more flexible in their approach to industry training

Wednesday 02 Jul 2014
As an Industry Training Board and Sector Skills Council, CITB NI has the remit of encouraging training across the range of occupations within the Northern Ireland construction industry. The economic climate and the overall downturn in industry activity have meant a change in way people train and think about training. This has been reflected  in the tiered grant system implemented by CITB NI to address the budget available and to make their support more effective and relevant to construction employers.

Press Clippings for December 2014

Monday 12 Jan 2015
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during the month of December 2014.

Employer Tracking Survey Results

Monday 19 Jan 2015

CITB NI provides various services to the construction industry in Northern Ireland and needs to be able to
demonstrate that it has the approval and support of the industry. It does this through an annual survey consisting of approximately 100 telephone interviews with construction sector employers in
Northern Ireland. Fieldwork took place in August/September 2014.

‘Building outside the Box’ CITB NI help teachers see a different side of the construction industry.

Monday 26 Jan 2015
Over 30 teachers and representatives from the education sector attended an interactive workshop at Mount Stewart House, Newtownards showcasing the fact that a career in construction is more than bricks and mortar.
 
‘Building outside the Box’ was hosted by CITB NI in partnership with STEMNET to help break stereotypical views of construction careers. Key industry speakers highlighted construction careers in sustainable building methods, the film industry and built heritage sectors followed by a tour of the £7m restoration project at Mount Stewart.

Apprentice of the Year Nominations Now Open

Monday 26 Jan 2015
Nominations are now open for the two award categories; Apprentice of the Year Award, and Innovation in Partnership Award (for Employers and Training Suppliers).

The Apprentice of the Year Awards 2015 recognise the successes of apprentices who have made a real difference to their own future and to the organisation they work for. Apprentices currently on the Department for Employment and Learning Apprenticeships programme are eligible for nomination, providing they meet the entry criteria. The support of Sector Skills Councils and Standard Setting Bodies in encouraging nominations will be key to the success of the event.

Northern Ireland Construction Industry Expected to Return to Growth in 2015

Tuesday 27 Jan 2015
Construction employers in Northern Ireland faced another difficult year in 2014 with a further decline in output experienced.  However a modest return to growth of 1% is expected in 2015 with the commercial, private housing and public non housing sectors expected to drive growth in the industry over the next five years, according to the Construction Skills Network (CSN) Industry Insights report, published today by ConstructionSkills.

CITB NI proud to host another successful CIOB Awards evening

Monday 02 Feb 2015
CITB NI were proud to host the Annual Chartered Institute of Building Lecture and Awards evening which commended local students in professional exams in 2014 with over 60 in attendance.
The presentation focused on the Ulster University’s £250m Greater Belfast Development hosted by Paul Spray Project Director and Sam Tyler, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios.
Certificates were awarded to 10 candidates who successfully passed their CIOB examinations last year through QTAS training centre.  J P Burke from Donaghmore Construction was presented with the Best Overall Performance Award for his outstanding results in the EPA programme in 2014 in Ireland.

CITB NI commend top construction students at building awards

Tuesday 03 Feb 2015
CITB NI acknowledged the top students who gained the highest grades in GCSE Construction and Built Environment at the annual Chartered Institute of Building Awards held at Nutts Corner.

Local Construction Industry to follow Building Information Modelling (BIM) requirements for Governme

Monday 09 Feb 2015
Building Information Modelling (BIM) is an interactive way in which a building is designed and developed within a virtual computer model before any on-site construction activity is carried out, leading to a decrease in both construction time and on-site issues. 
 
The UK Government Construction Strategy published in 2011 announced the UK Government intention to require BIM Level 2 on its construction projects by 2016, potentially on any value of contract.  Private sector clients, such as leading UK retailers, are also acting as drivers for the adoption and use of BIM on construction projects.  NI construction companies will need to be in a position to operate in a BIM environment in order to compete for future UK Government public works.

Press Clippings for month of January 2015

Tuesday 10 Feb 2015
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during January 2015.

Claim FREE construction NVQ now before it is too late

Thursday 02 Jul 2015
Time is of the essence for construction workers currently working in the industry who want to claim their Free NVQ through the ‘Qualifying the Existing Workforce’ Project.
The  second phase of the ‘Qualifying the Existing Workforce’ project was launched last year to qualify 1000 currently unqualified, experienced, employed construction workers to NVQ Level 2, helping to increase productivity and meet the industry’s skills challenge.

Sale of Constructionline and impact on Government procurements

Thursday 12 Feb 2015
Constructionline has been bought by Capita who will be required to honour the remaining term of any annual registrations made with it prior to the sale. The Central Procurement Directorate (CPD) is working with Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) and Capita to ensure continuation of the Constructionline service to Northern Ireland public bodies.
 

Training Advice

Thursday 09 Jul 2015
Getting timely and accurate training advice is important to all businesses. CITB NI provides this continuously but specifically at over a dozen annual employer information events across NI and via our in house Levy and Grants team.

New Consultation - Proposals on the alignment of H&S Regulations with the EU direct acting CLP Regul

Monday 26 Jan 2015
The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (“the Executive”) has prepared a Consultative Document containing proposals to align domestic Regulations with the European Union direct acting Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 (the CLP Regulation).

Press Clippings for February 2015

Thursday 05 Mar 2015
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during February 2015.

Management and Leadership in the Construction Industry

Friday 06 Mar 2015
Training yourself and your workforce in management and supervisory skills will help you to:
- maintain a competitive advantage
- win tenders by showing your competence and the competence of your workforce
- improve efficiency and effectiveness
- identify and diversify into new markets, services or products

Environmental Management Systems (EMS) now required for NI Government construction contracts

Friday 06 Mar 2015
From 1 April 2016, all construction works contracts procured by a Centre of Procurement Expertise (CoPE) will include a requirement that all main contractors seeking to tender shall have and maintain an EMS certified by a third party.
 
An EMS is the part of an organisation’s overall management system that relates to the development, implementation, achievement, review and maintenance of the organisation’s environmental policy. An EMS and its associated standards help an organisation:

  •  to minimise how its operations affect the environment;
  • to comply with applicable laws and regulations; and
  • to continually improve in relation to each of the above.

Understanding Sustainable Construction at City Quays

Friday 06 Mar 2015
CITB NI’s Sustainable Construction Interest Group met for their first site visit at the Harbour Commissioners office to hear first-hand about the sustainability design specifics of City Quays 1.
 
The Sustainable Construction Interest Group is made up of local construction workers who participated in the ‘Building Skills for Sustainable Construction’ programme and spent two weeks in Germany learning about sustainable construction techniques e.g. air tightness, energy efficiency and thermal bridging.

SUBWAY® Support Super Skilled Apprentices with new Sponsorship Deal

Wednesday 25 Mar 2015
SUBWAY®, the UK's largest sandwich retailer, and internationally recognised brand have linked up with SkillBuild NI to become its latest sponsor.

Skillbuild NI, organised and co-ordinated by CITB NI, is held annually each spring with the top local construction apprentices competing to win coveted titles ranging from brickwork to wall and floor tiling. The winners may then go on to represent Northern Ireland in the Skills Show UK and potentially at WorldSkills.
The sponsorship arrangement will see SUBWAY® branding and presence at the annual SkillBuild NI National Finals with both a financial contribution to assist the running of the event and the provision of fresh food for the competitors.

The Construction Indicator

Monday 30 Mar 2015
Check out latest Construction Indicator Bulletin which provides a snapshot of the recent performance of the construction industry based on indicators such as state of trade, house sales, output and employment.

CITB NI's Top Ten Credit Control Tips

Wednesday 01 Apr 2015
The late payment of business debts is one of the biggest problems faced by construction companies.  Late payment is more than an inconvenience; it is a major hindrance to cash flow and a drain on profitability. It can mean that your business growth is stifled while you fund another's expansion. Remember the key to successful cash flow is good planning. You should know exactly when payments are due in and out of your bank account.Effective credit management, aimed at reducing the risk of late payment and bad debt, is therefore an essential part of good business practice.

Top 10 things that CITB NI do for the Local Construction Industry

Monday 13 Jul 2015
CITB NI is both an Industry Training Board and Sector Skills Council. Our role is to work in partnership with the industry improving their performance and productivity through improving the skills of those employed or intending to be employed in the industry.

Press Clippings for March/April 2015

Monday 11 May 2015
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during March/April 2015.

Changes in CISRS Scheme

Thursday 13 Aug 2015
From 1st September 2015 there will be a requirement to hold either a CISRS trainee scaffolding labourer card for a minimum of 6 months prior to attending Part 1 of training.

CITB NI celebrate the development of traditional skills for local heritage sector

Friday 22 May 2015
Representatives from the Heritage Lottery Fund, placement provider organisations, the training network, construction companies along with trainees gathered at CITB NI to celebrate the success  of the ‘Sustaining Traditional Building Skills in Northern Ireland’ project last week.    

The project managed by CITB NI and mainly supported by funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) through its ‘Skills for the Future’ programme, helped to develop traditional building skills and create a heritage training infrastructure in Northern Ireland. The project will improve the workforce skills to repair and refurbish existing pre-1919 buildings and contribute to the local heritage sector.

New Temporary Works Operations Training

Wednesday 27 May 2015
25 – 26 June 2015
CITB NI has funded the development of a new 2-day Temporary Works Operations course to provide training for those operatives involved in temporary works.
The course will focus on the technical content of temporary works as follows

Scaffolding Anchorages 1 Day Training Course

Monday 15 Jun 2015
24th or 25th June 2015

CITB NI has identified a need to provide competence training and assessment on scaffold structures that are inadequately tied due to a lack of emphasis on anchoring practices. We are hosting a 1 day course on both 24th & 25th June 2015 designed for scaffolding erectors and supervisors which is FREE to CITB NI registered companies.

NI Construction trades represented in WorldSkills Team UK

Saturday 30 May 2015
Seven very talented young people from Northern Ireland have fought off stiff competition from across the UK to be selected as members of the UK Team for WorldSkills 2015 with 4 representing construction trades in plumbing, refrigeration, wall & floor tiling and landscaping.

Press Clippings for May 2015

Monday 15 Jun 2015
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during May 2015.

Notification of the status of Constructionline in NI Government construction procurement

Thursday 18 Jun 2015
The Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) sold Constructionline to Captia on 28 January 2015.
CPD will continue to mandate membership of Constructionline for firms wishing to participate in Government construction procurements in NI which have a value below the relevant EU thresholds.
Constructionline will provide a register of contractors and consultants prequalified for Northern Ireland public bodies when undertaking construction works or construction services procurements. Constructionline will be used by Government Construction Clients to undertake the financial assessment of potential tenderers for construction contracts.
 

Press Clippings - June 2015

Monday 06 Jul 2015
A summary of CITB NI news  which appeared in the press during the month of June 2015.

More Management and IT skills needed for the local construction industry says CITB NI

Saturday 13 Jun 2015
A series of research sources have identified that Management Skills and Information Technology confidence, usage and awareness are amongst the two highest skills gaps for the Northern Ireland Construction industry according to CITB NI’s Annual Skills Statement published today.

July Closure

Saturday 06 Jun 2015
The offices of CITB NI will close on Friday 10th July and re open on Monday 20th July. Happy Holidays

Information Technology Training for the Construction Industry

Tuesday 11 Oct 2016
The construction industry relies heavily on information exchange to achieve time, cost and quality efficiencies on a project.  Technology is changing our industry and with advances in the use of Building Information Modelling (BIM), 3D digital design and efficient knowledge transfer we need to ensure our people are able to embrace new ways of working to fulfil their full potential.

Part Funded Pilot NVQ 6 Construction Mgt Prog

Friday 04 Sep 2015
Are you an experienced Construction Manager?  Do you need a qualification to recognise your expertise for PQQ's/Tenders? Recognised route to CSR/CSCS Managers Black Card.

Building a Career in Construction

Monday 17 Aug 2015
With the A'Level results now out, have you considered a career in construction?
After a difficult five years, with the recession biting hard for Northern Ireland construction employers, the future for construction in the Province is finally looking brighter.  Private housing, infrastructure and industrial work are all expected to help push the sector towards growth and around 1,490 new construction workers will be needed yearly over the next five years in Northern Ireland. Construction is crucial to the success of our economic revival and young people must not be discouraged from entering the industry at this time. It is therefore very important for skills to be developed over the next few years in order to prepare for the upturn. Research has indicated that construction is facing an ageing workforce with around one in six workers due to retire within 10 years, so now more than ever there is a need to encourage young people to consider a career in construction.

Press Clippings for month of July 2015

Sunday 02 Aug 2015
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during July 2015.

Consultation on Further Education

Friday 07 Aug 2015
The Department for Employment and Learning has recently issued a consultation on its new Further Education Strategy for Northern Ireland. The provision of training within Northern Ireland and how the Further Education sector supports the industry is important to everyone. Therefore CITB NI is preparing a response to this consultation from a construction industry perspective and would very much value your input. We would be grateful if you could take 5-10 minutes to answer the following nine questions. The following link will take you to our survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GJCWCPK. Thank you in advance for contributing to this important piece of research.

Local Polymer & Construction Sectors Working to Improve the Skills Needed to Capitalise on Innovatio

Thursday 27 Aug 2015
 
Northern Ireland Polymers Association (NIPA) and CITB NI are working together for the first time to help their sector companies identify and develop the necessary skills and management practices to improve their innovation and business performance.

Training Initiatives to Help the Construction Industry Grow

Tuesday 15 Mar 2016
Skills are a key driver of growth, performance and prosperity and even more important now as the construction industry is finally experiencing shoots of growth after several tough years in economic decline.
CITB NI offer key initiatives to help the industry train in order to be sufficiently skilled for the industry

Construction Training gets a £1.2m boost

Wednesday 02 Sep 2015
CITB NI has launched its  £1.2m training grant scheme for the local construction industry to help boost skills and prepare for the industry returning to growth.

Essential Skills: Essential for Construction

Tuesday 09 Aug 2016
CITB NI have a suite of Essential Skills resource packs tailored for construction students and those working in the industry in communication, numeracy and ICT. Each of the packs has been developed with accredited Essential Skills tutors and tailored to construction.

Qualifying the Exisiting Workforce

Wednesday 09 Sep 2015
The 'Qualifying the Exisitng Workforce' Programme is now complete with no places left on the programme.

Press Clippings for month of August 2015

Friday 11 Sep 2015
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during August 2015.

CITB NI helping to improve Business Performance of local Construction Companies

Tuesday 27 Oct 2015
CITB NI are hosting a series of business improvement events to help develop commercial, management and sustainability skills within local construction companies.
 
The events will run from October to June focusing on topics such as Business Information Modelling, Credit Control, Waste Management and Tendering all led by an industry expert.

Leaders in Construction – the future for the industry

Tuesday 29 Sep 2015
Representatives of the construction industry met today to help CITB NI to develop a leadership programme, ‘Leader in Construction’, for emerging leaders in the local construction industry. The group included representatives from a range of companies both large and small to reflect the intended participants of the programme. Key to the discussions were the type of leadership capabilities required for senior managers and owner / operators in the construction industry of the future.

INTERESTED IN IMPROVING YOUR COMPANIES ABILITY TO INNOVATE AND MAKE MONEY?

Thursday 22 Oct 2015
CITB NI and the Northern Ireland Polymers Association (NIPA) are working together to help employers identify and develop the necessary skills and management practices to improve innovation and business performance.

Check out our Scaffolding Courses

Tuesday 26 Jul 2016
Find the latest information the CISRS scaffolding training and assessment courses run by CITB NI at Nutts Corner Training Centre.

Press Clippings from September 2015

Monday 12 Oct 2015
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during September 2015.

Register Now with CITB NI

Tuesday 15 Mar 2016
As a CITB NI registered construction employer (1) you will gain access to the following benefits;

  • Training Grants for you and your business
  • Training for the Industry through our Mobile Training Unit and scaffolding facility
  • Training support at employer information events and through our online training directory
  • Training Research for accurate, current and forward looking labour market intelligence
  • Careers information through our website and careers events

CITB NI Annual Return

Wednesday 21 Oct 2015
Your First Option Annual Return form is now due to be returned to CITB NI. 
Please ensure that it is submitted on or before 9 November 2015 otherwise the Option election to have your levy based on the tax year ended April 2016 will be removed and your levy will be based on the gross emoluments for the tax year ended April 2015. 

Late First Option forms will be refused so please ensure you allow sufficient time for return.
 

WorldSkills Construction winners recognised at Stormont Reception

Thursday 05 Nov 2015
Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry hosted a reception at Stormont to honour Northern Ireland’s outstanding success at the recent WorldSkills competition in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The Minister congratulated the seven Northern Ireland competitors, five of which represented construction sectors who achieved Northern Ireland’s best ever WorldSkills result winning a gold medal, two silver medals, a bronze medal and a medallion for excellence representing over forty per cent of the overall UK medal haul.

More Qualifications & Essential Skills Training Needed in Local Construction Industry

Tuesday 10 Nov 2015
Less than half of local construction workers have construction related qualifications and almost 1.5 of them feel they would benefit from training in Essential Skills (Numeracy, Literacy & IT). These shocking results highlighted in recent research of 100 NI workers by CITB NI (Workforce Mobility and Skills Survey 2015).

New Pilot NVQ4 Construction Site Supervisor Development Prog

Monday 16 Nov 2015
Are you looking to develop your staff or yourself as Site Supervisor?
Would you like to achieve a formal qualification as a construction site worker with supervisory responsibilities?

Our  new programme could be the one for you.

Local construction apprentices excel at Skills Show UK

Monday 30 Nov 2015
13 local construction apprentices travelled to NEC Birmingham last week to compete at the Skills Show UK and successfully brought home 5 medals.

The Skills Show is the UK’s largest skills and careers event and is designed to reward talent and drive up levels of expertise in further education.

Over 75,000 people attended the Skills Show and watched over 500 apprentices and learners battle it out in over 60 skills competitions, ranging from Forensic Science to Floristry, with the aim of being named ‘UK Champion’ in their chosen skill. Visitors to the Skills Show were also able to ‘Have a Go’ at different skills and meet with employers and advisors to receive the latest information on apprenticeships and other training opportunities.

The Apprenticeship Levy - What does it mean for NI employers

Tuesday 08 Dec 2015
The Government has proposed a new Apprenticeship Levy on large firms following the 2015 Spending Review and Autumn Statement held on 25th Nov 2015. This will include firms based in Northern Ireland.
 
The detail behind the Governments proposals is being developed on an ongoing basis and is therefore subject to change. 
 

CITB NI: Bringing training to life

Monday 24 Oct 2016
CITB NI is bringing construction training to a whole new level with the their brand new virtual environment training facility at Nutts Corner Training centre.
 
The VET360 is an innovation new tool that provides a unique memorable immersive experience which gives the user instant access to construction sites in a workplace environment.

Changes to Terms & Conditions of Grant

Monday 07 Dec 2015

 Applications for Tier 1 grant MUST be received by CITB NI within 3 months of the commencement of training
 

  1. Grant will only be paid to employers who submit an actual levy return form. 
 
  1. In the event that an employer does not comply with the condition to submit actual emolument figures by 29 February 2016, grants claimed for the current training year will be declined. 
 
Please contact a member of the grants teams on 028 9082 5466 if you require further clarification.

Apprenticeship and Youth Training Employer Support Survey

Tuesday 08 Dec 2015
In June 2014, the Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Stephen Farry, launched “Securing Our Success”, the Strategy which aims to reform the system of Apprenticeships in Northern Ireland. In June this year he published the new Strategy for Youth Training “Generating our Success”.
 
The Minister has established a Strategic Advisory Forum to provide advice and guidance on key elements of the reformed NI apprenticeship and Youth training system. As part of this process DEL are seeking your views on the importance of financial and non financial incentives and wider support, that would encourage employers to engage with the Apprenticeship and Youth Training Systems.

Press Clippings for November 2015

Monday 14 Dec 2015
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during November 2015.

Reminder of the requirement for Environmental Management Systems (EMS) in NI Government construction

Friday 18 Dec 2015
From 1 April 2016, all construction works contracts procured by a Centre of Procurement Expertise (CoPE) will include a requirement that all main contractors seeking to tender shall have and maintain an EMS certified by a third party

Merry Christmas

Wednesday 21 Oct 2015
The offices of CITB NI will close on Wednesday 23rd December and reopen on Monday 4th January 2016. We would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

New Training Solutions for the local construction industry

Wednesday 06 Jan 2016

The local construction sector is starting to see shoots of growth and CITB NI can help with your training needs.
Our Mobile Training Unit provides a convenient way of delivering training on employers premises or sites causing minimum disruption to production.

Insulation workshop Enviroform Solutions

Sunday 29 Nov 2015
Enviroform are hosting an informal event focusing on tailored solutions for new builds, refurbishing hard to treat homes and complex heritage property restorations.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Wednesday 13 Jan 2016
Grant can only be paid to employers who submit an actual levy return form.  The 2015 Annual Return form must be completed and returned by 29 February 2016.  Failure to comply will mean that you will not be eligible to claim grant during 1 September 2015 to 31 August 2016.
 

CIOB Awards and Annual Lecture & Awards in partnership with CITB NI

Sunday 18 Dec 2016
CITB NI are delighted to be working in partnership again with CIOB for the Annual Lecture and Awards Ceremony on Wednesday 27th January 6pm - 7.30pm.

The title of the lecture is:  The Welcome-Wolfson Centre for Experimental Medicine The winner of the Health and Education Infrastructure topic area and the overall award winning project within the CEF/Specify Construction Excellence Awards 2015.

CITB NI award top GCSE students at building awards

Thursday 28 Jan 2016
 
The students who gained the highest grades in GCSE Construction and Built Environment in 2015 were recognised by CITB NI at the annual Chartered Institute of Building Awards held at Nutts Corner last night.
 
The GCSE in Construction and the Built Environment has been developed by CCEA to give students a realistic understanding and experience of Construction that will enable them to develop an authentic working relationship with the real world-of-work.

GCSE in Construction Review - Have your say

Friday 29 Jan 2016
The GCSE Construction and Built Environment qualification is available in over 30 schools and 5651 young people have completed the qualification in the last 10 years with the top three students receiving bursaries from CITBNI. 
 
CCEA are keen to get employers input to the design of the GCSE in Construction, CITBNI is encouraging employers to take part by providing feedback via an online questionnaire at www.ccea.org.uk/research until 19th Feb 2016 or by speaking to CCEA researchers Phil Cunningham pcunningham@ccea.org.uk or Simon Beattie sbeattie@ccea.org.uk
 

Local Belfast blacksmith fronts Heritage Campaign

Monday 01 Feb 2016
CITB NI is delighted that Owen Mort is fronting the main Heritage Lottery Fund's story telling campaign.   Owen was successful in completing a training programme delivered by CITB NI and predominantly funded by HLF. Owen spent a year training with the Historic Environment Division at their depot in Moira.  Owen is one of 34 trainees that have benefited from this training programme. 

CITB NI also worked with colleges to upskill lecturers, assessors and ambassadors to improve the availability of Heritage training within Northern Ireland.  Owen has now successfully set up his own business www.blackanvil.co.uk and CITB NI is delighted to have played a role in his success. Find out more about Heritage training here http://www.citbni.org.uk/Heritage.aspx



Northern Ireland Construction Industry set for growth over next five years

Tuesday 02 Feb 2016
After six years of contraction, which took the construction sector in Northern Ireland in 2013 down to just 57% of its 2007 peak, output stabilised in 2014. Having finally returned to growth in 2015, construction output in Northern Ireland is predicted to have an annual average growth of 3% over the next five years, higher than the UK rate of 2.5%.
 
According to the CSN Industry Insights Report for NI 2016-2020, the performance of the local construction industry over the next five years is expected to show a 3% average annual growth in both public and private housing. Growth in infrastructure is driven by water and sewage work in the short term and transport over the longer term. Hospitals and education work should benefit the public non-housing sector and the commercial construction sector is seeing an upsurge in hotel building work.

CITB NI Celebrating Success with Construction Professionals & students at Annual CIOB Awards.

Tuesday 02 Feb 2016
CITB NI hosted another successful Chartered Institute of Building Lecture and Awards evening at Nutts Corner Training Centre last week acknowledging local students in their professional exams in 2015.

The presentation focused on the development, design and build of The Welcome-Wolfson Centre for Experimental Medicine at Queen’s University Belfast and focused on all aspects of the project from design to completion presented by O’Hare & Govern.

Have your Say on Skills and Training in Construction industry

Thursday 10 Dec 2015
Have your say about skills and training in the construction industry. Complete  a short survey  which covers issues such as  funding reforms, apprenticeships, Government policy changes, the quality of training provision, and potential skills shortages.
 
It should only take about 20 minutes, and it would go a long way to helping us more clearly articulate the key issues affecting our sector and identify a range of possible solutions. The survey is anonymous but if you leave an email address at the end we’ll send you a copy of the report when it’s published.

Deadline for responses is Friday 12 Feb 2016.

Business Improvement Events

Thursday 11 Feb 2016
Come along to one of CITB NI's Business Improvement Events over the next few months. Topics include Waste Management, Sales & Marketing, Tendering, Credit Control and BIM. Each session will last for 45 mins and there will be opportunities to ask the expert speakers questions. In addition CITB NI will provide a short overview of the Top 10 services provided to the construction industry. This is your opportunity to find out what it available to you.

Sustainable Construction Seminar

Wednesday 18 Nov 2015
24th February , CREST Centre, Enniskillen 9am-12.25pm

This seminar will provide several case studies from local architects, housing associations and builders to showcase the Passive House and low carbon work being carried out in Northern Ireland. The event will be held at the CREST Centre, itself an example of a Passive House building and will open with a talk on the Passive House design principles used in the centre and will conclude with a tour.

Those who are interested in, or are already involved in, constructing buildings using sustainable construction techniques, will find this seminar of great value.

Press Clippings December to January

Wednesday 24 Feb 2016
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during December 2015 to January 2016.

Countdown to Skillbuild NI Finals 2016

Wednesday 02 Mar 2016
80 construction apprentices from all over NI will compete against each other and test their skills in 9 different construction trades at the Skillbuild NI Finals at South West College, Technology and Skills Centre Enniskillen on Friday 4th March 2016.
 
Skillbuild NI, run and governed by CITB NI, is held annually each spring with the top local construction apprentices competing to win coveted titles ranging from brickwork to wall and floor tiling. The winners may then go on to represent Northern Ireland in the Skills Show UK and potentially at WorldSkills.

Construction apprentices strike gold, silver and bronze at Skillbuild 2016

Monday 07 Mar 2016
Over 70 construction apprentices competed against each other and tested their skills in 9 different construction trades at the Skillbuild NI Finals held at South West College, Technology and Skills Centre Enniskillen on 4th March 2016.
 
Skillbuild NI, run and governed by CITB NI, is held annually each spring with the top local construction apprentices competing to win coveted titles ranging from brickwork to wall and floor tiling. The winners may then go on to represent Northern Ireland in the Skills Show UK and potentially at WorldSkills.
 
Department for Employment and Learning Deputy Secretary Catherine Bell said: “Skillbuild NI is a great opportunity to showcase and celebrate the high level of skills we possess and the impressive talent of our workforce. It reflects the high standards of training in our Colleges and the commitment to excellence demonstrated by the competitors. As with all skills competitions, Skillbuild NI is about raising the status and standards of professional and technical education and training. We have a proud record of success at skills competitions not only on a local level but also on a regional, national and world level. I congratulate the ten young competitors who have been selected to represent the UK Squad, and I look forward to seeing how many progress to the prestigious Worldskills competition in Abu Dhabi in 2017.”

Top Ten things CITB NI do for the NI construction industry

Thursday 14 Apr 2016
As an Industry Training Board and Sector Skills Council CITB NI works hard to improve the skills of those employed or intending to be employed within the construction sector. The local industry has been hit hard over recent years but our research highlights that 1,760 jobs are expected to be created every year for the next five years in Northern Ireland, thanks to a 3% growth in the sector.

With that in mind what does CITB NI do for the local construction industry?

Do you want to have a say in how CITB NI supports construction training?

Monday 21 Mar 2016
 “Have your say” on CITB NI Levy & Grant by joining our focus group. This will give you an opportunity for registered employers to help develop further how we support you and the Northern Ireland Construction Industry in the future.

Train and Claim your CITB NI Grant

Wednesday 04 May 2016
Training is good for your business; well trained employees are safer, better skilled, work faster and make fewer mistakes. Training can also lead to qualifications like NVQ’s and not only do they prove to you and your clients that your workers are competent professionals, but with more and more clients and contractors insisting on a fully qualified workforce they are becoming essential to get you all on site.

Easter Closure

Sunday 06 Mar 2016
The offices of CITB NI will close from the afternoon of Friday 25th March and reopen on Mon 4th April. Wishing you all a Happy Easter

Training on the Move with CITB NI's Mobile Training Unit

Tuesday 26 Jul 2016
CITB NI's Mobile Training Unit (MTU) provides training on site and is available to all construction employers. It is a convenient way of meeting training requirements with minimum disruption to work whilst also helping businesses meet their legal responsibility.
 

Press Clippings for March 2016

Friday 08 Apr 2016
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during March 2016. 

Experience Real Training in a Virtual Environment

Wednesday 30 Mar 2016

CITB NI are hosting 30min demonstration and information sessions on 26 and 27 April from 10am - 12pm  and 2 - 4pm. VET360 is an innovative new tool that provides a unique and memorable experience that gives the user instant access to virtual locations in the workplace

Employer Survey Results

Wednesday 20 Apr 2016
CITB NI’s recent employer tracking survey identified that 46% of employers surveyed felt that the most important skills issue was the shortage of skilled labour. In a poll of 100 local construction employers 92% were aware of CITB NI providing grants for training and 69% rated the levy grant system as important. The most commonly used CITB NI services were reported as grants for training and health and safety. The results of the survey highlight the industry’s need to train and upskill for the future and supports the role of CITB NI in helping them do this.

Website Maintenance Thursday 28th April

Saturday 26 Mar 2016
We will be undertaking essential maintenance on our website on Thursday 28th  April 2016. The website will not be available for public access in the afternoon. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Local company achieves first Heritage endorsed Construction Skills Register Card

Wednesday 27 Apr 2016
A Co Down based company, The Glass Shutter Company, is the first company in NI to get Heritage Endorsed CSR cards.
 
Director, David McClimond and employee Jonathan Black have both successfully completed an NVQ Level 3 in Heritage Skills Construction - Wood Occupations to enable them to achieve the endorsement.
 

Invitation to CSN NI Observatory Meeting

Tuesday 12 May 2015
CITB NI are extending the invitation to the CSN NI Observatory meeting to all construction industry employers on Tues 24th May at 10.3am at Nutts Corner Training Centre.
At this meeting you will hear from Experian about the initial forecast for 2017-2021 and be asked for your views on it. We want to know from an industry and stakeholder perspective how the provisional forecast fits and feels with what you are experiencing on the ground. Your feedback and comment will be taken into account and will help inform our future forecasts.

Latest news on Apprenticeship Levy

Thursday 12 May 2016
We are keen to keep construction employers updated on the current status and potential implications of the new Apprenticeship Levy.

 

Local Polymer & Construction Sectors Collaborate to meet the Innovation and Commercialisation Challe

Tuesday 24 May 2016
Northern Ireland Polymers Association (NIPA) and CITB NI have been working together for the past 12 months to help their sector companies identify and develop the necessary skills and management practices to improve their innovation and business performance.
 
The project brought together a total of 22 employers from both sectors to form three separate working groups. These groups worked together to define innovation issues and develop mechanisms and methodologies for effectively up-skilling staff in key areas of innovation and commercial exploitation.
 
These best practices and findings were shared at a combined workshop held at the Hilton Hotel, Templepatrick last week.

Local construction employers keen to help develop apprentices and graduates

Wednesday 25 May 2016
On the job training and development is on the rise in Northern Ireland as results indicate that 27% of local construction firms employed apprentices at the time of the Employer Attitudes and Motivations to Learning and Training (Wave 15) survey (August – September 2015). Whilst this figure is still under half of those interviewed it is significantly higher than 5% of Professional Services firms who had interns or recent graduates

Have your say - Focus Group update and feedback

Saturday 14 May 2016
CITB NI have set up a Focus Group to review the CITB NI funding support system, advise employers of legislation changes and allow employers to have their say. To date 2 meetings have been held with employer representatives getting involved.

The Polymer & Construction Sectors Secrets to Innovation & Commercialisation

Thursday 14 Apr 2016
Come along to our Breakfast Workshop on Friday, 24 June 2016 from 8-10am in Riddel Hall, Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5EE
 
The findings and companies experiences from the joint work of 22 NIPA & CITB NI registered companies developed across three working groups and 33 meetings over the last 12 months as told by the participating companies themselves with the support, partnership and assistance of the UKCES Futures Programme Innovation Challenge.
 
AIM
 
A unique opportunity to hear about the collaboration between employers in the polymer and construction sector, led by NIPA and CITB NI to improve in-firm innovation and commercialisation performance.  Through first hand employer insights this event will demonstrate how firms can develop and improve on their own innovation relevant management and commercialisation skills to improve their own innovation and its commercial exploitation.
 

Apply Now for NVQ 4 Construction Site Supervisor Development Programme

Tuesday 14 Jun 2016
Are you looking to develop your staff or yourself as a Site Supervisor?

Apply now for CITB NI's NVQ 4 Construction Site Supervisor Development Programme

Press Clippings for May 2016

Friday 13 May 2016
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during the month of May 2016.

Construction training a high priority for local workers

Friday 06 May 2016
Half of firms in NI (49%)who were surveyed in the Employer Attitudes and Motivations to Learning and Training Survey (wave 15) have a written training or development plan in place which in most cases covered all employees (39%). Well-trained construction workers are safer, better skilled, work faster and make fewer mistakes, they are better motivated, efficient and effective too. Effective training plans can help increase productivity and also increase business growth.  If you do not have a training plan and are unsure how to develop one, use our template, training directory and health and safety matrix to help you on your way. These resources can be found on the CITB NI website www.citbni.org.uk

Recently Registered Employer Briefing

Wednesday 20 Apr 2016
Are you recently registered with CITB NI and want to find out more?
Come along to our Recently Registered Employer Briefing on Tuesday 28th June 2016 10am-11.30am at Nutts Corner Training Centre.

CITB NI Heritage Project short listed for National Lottery Award

Tuesday 22 Mar 2016
CITB NI is delighted to have been shortlisted from over 600 organisations to reach the public voting stage in this year’s National Lottery Awards.

CITB NI’s Heritage Upskilling Apprenticeship Programme is the only nomination from Northern Ireland in the Best Education Project category and the organisation want support from stakeholder organisations and the public to help them win the category.

Important changes relating to Terms and Conditions of Grant for the 2016/17 Training Year

Friday 29 Jul 2016
The 2016 Annual Levy Return must be received by CITB NI on or before 5pm on 31 August 2016.  If your Return is not submitted by this deadline, you will not be able to claim grants aid  for the 2016/17 training year. This Condition of Grant cannot be appealed.  All other Terms and Conditions of Grant must also be met.
 
CITB NI will not be held responsible for any Return which has not been received by 5pm on 31 August 2016.
 
Please ensure that all relevant persons within your business are aware of this change.
 
The Annual Levy Return form will be issued week commencing 1 August 2016.  Please contact us if you have not received it by 8 August 2016.

CITB NI Holiday Closure

Sunday 06 Mar 2016
The CITB NI offices will close on Friday 8th July and reopen on Monday 18th July. We hope you have a happy holiday!

Grants Message July 2016

Monday 07 Jul 2014
Main text in here

Press Clippings for June/July 2016

Tuesday 26 Jul 2016
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during December 2016.

It’s Results Season – Have you considered a career in construction?

Wednesday 17 Aug 2016
You are due to receive results, not sure of the next step? What about a career in construction. 1,760 jobs are expected to be created every year for the next five years in Northern Ireland, thanks to a 3% growth in the sector. Commercial, private housing and public non housing are leading the surge in growth and projects like the 1,800 home Ballyclare West scheme, growth in infrastructure and a continuing pipeline of transport projects are all expected to create construction jobs.

Finding the hidden innovation in your business

Thursday 18 Aug 2016
Unrecognised innovation in the workplace could be a brake on the bottom line of small businesses, according to a new report launched today by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES).

An Introduction to BIM for Sub Contractors

Tuesday 06 Sep 2016
Are you a sub contractor with the potential to work on contracts using BIM? If so, it is important that you know what is expected of your firm and how to work in a Building Information Modelling (BIM) Environment. Northern Ireland Government policy is that contracts over about £4m should use BIM. It is optional for smaller Government contracts to use it as well, and the private sector is also using it.

NVQ Level 6 Success

Tuesday 06 Sep 2016

Congratulations to our 19 participants who completed their NVQ Level 6 and received their certificates today. The programme was initiated by The Federation of Master Builders NI and The Northern Ireland Demolition Association, funded by CITB NI and delivered by Esteem.

Email issues

Sunday 07 Sep 2014
We are experiencing problems with our email system and the emails are currently not working. We are trying to resolve the problem as soon as possible. In the meantime if you have a query please contact us on our telephone line
028 90 825466. Thanks for your co operation.

CITB NI make new changes to £1.3m Grant Scheme in a bid to help the industry train.

Wednesday 14 Sep 2016
CITB NI has announced new changes to its Grants Scheme to help increase the number of businesses taking up available funding to provide more training for local employees. The £1.3m scheme offers direct grants to registered employers for support in a wide range of training and qualifications for their employees working in Northern Ireland

NHBC Defects Prevention Training

Saturday 23 Jul 2016
This National House Builders Council (NHBC) course is a techincial programme for those seeking to improve build quality and to prevent common construction defects. It covers the requirements of the NHBC standards and construction best practice for all major areas of home building construction. The course is aimed at site managers, assistant site managers, clerk of works, inspectors and site supervisors.

Press Clippings for August/September 2016

Monday 10 Oct 2016
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during August/September 2016.

Undergraduate Development Programme 2016-2017

Tuesday 29 Nov 2016
CITB NI delivers the Undergraduate Development Programme which assists students undertaking part-time or full time Degree, HND or Foundation Degree Courses relating to Construction and the Built Environment. The aim of the Programme is to develop skills which employers are looking in graduate level new entrants coming into the construction industry.

Have your Say on NOS Reviews (Construction) 2016 – 2017

Wednesday 19 Oct 2016
The following National Occupational Standards (NOS) occupations will be reviewed during 2016 – 2017

  • Specialist Installations
  • Site Logistics
  • Hazardous and Non-Hazardous Waste
  • Stonemasonry
  • Passive Fire Protection

CITB NI's first Online Magazine

Monday 24 Oct 2016
Want to know what's the latest news from CITB NI. Check out our very first Online Magazine.

Construction Industry Forecasts Consultation

Sunday 25 Sep 2016
CITB NI are inviting leading local construction companies and stakeholders to consult on their Construction Skills Network forecasts. These forecasts look at construction output, economic indicators, employment and annual recruitment requirements.
 
We need the industry’s input to help us validate the data we are producing so we will be asking questions to see if what we feel is happening in the industry matches the industry’s perspective.
 
Benefits for industry participants include early visibility of forecasts, the opportunity to influence and inform the data, access to regional reports, and the use of data for business planning. You will have an opportunity to hear from other experts in the industry and you will receive a copy of the published data.

Annual Skills Statement

Monday 19 Dec 2016
Part of CITB NI’s work is to understand the training needs of the Northern Ireland construction industry and to ensure that appropriate training is available for the industry to address these needs.
 
To determine the training needs, CITB NI carries out local and UK wide research with Northern Ireland employers and stakeholders, as well as monitoring research completed by other industry stakeholders and trade bodies. CITB NI engages with the industry through Board and Committee structures which consist of representatives from industry, education and trade unions. CITB NI also discusses training needs with employers at a wide range of events throughout the year.

The purpose of this annual construction industry skills statement publication is to bring together a synopsis of research findings and provide the reader with an overview of the current and future training needs of the Northern Ireland Construction Industry. The findings should be of interest to users and providers of training within Northern Ireland, including employers, employees, private and public training providers, trade bodies, Councils and MLAs.

 

CITB NI support Minister’s in seeking Clarity & Consultation on the forthcoming Apprenticeship Levy

Saturday 15 Oct 2016
Following the announcement today (1) that UK government has agreed an apprenticeship levy funding deal with devolved administrations, Finance Minister Máirtín Ó Muilleoir and Economy Minister Simon Hamilton have publicly stated (2) that the newly proposed Apprenticeship Levy will have no benefit to the NI Executive and have called for a public consultation on the matter.

Slower Growth and less workers needed for local construction industry Post Brexit

Wednesday 18 Jan 2017
Results from an interim post-Brexit review of the Construction Skills Network forecasts indicate that Brexit will have a major negative influence on output growth, employment levels and the annual recruitment requirement for the Northern Ireland construction industry.
 
Forecasts published in January 2016 were positive and the performance of the construction industry over the 5-year forecast period showed and annual average growth of 3%. However the interim forecasts have reduced this figure to 1.4% due to a contraction in activity (with the exception of the private housing sector).

Local apprentices shine at Skills Show

Wednesday 23 Nov 2016
20 local apprentices representing the Built Environment travelled to NEC Birmingham last week to compete at the WorldSkills UK Show and successfully brought home 7 medals.

The Skills Show is the UK’s largest skills and careers event and is designed to reward talent and drive up levels of expertise in further education.

More than 500 talented young people took part in competitions covering 61 different skills over three days at Birmingham’s NEC in front of thousands of visitors.

Don’t Miss your opportunity to have your say on the Apprenticeship Levy

Tuesday 29 Nov 2016
The Department for the Economy have launched an open consultation for feedback and insight into the forthcoming Apprenticeship Levy.

The Apprenticeship Levy will be introduced across the UK in April 2017 and will apply to all employers in Northern Ireland. Those with a pay bill of over £3million will be net contributors to the Levy.

Press clippings for October/November 2016

Monday 05 Dec 2016
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during October & November 2016.

CITB NI helping local construction businesses improve their skills in 2017

Wednesday 04 Jan 2017
CITB NI are hosting a series of business improvement events to help develop commercial, management, sustainability and waste management in local construction companies.
 
The events will run from  January to June focusing on topics such as credit control, social media, Business Information Modelling, and waste management all led by an industry expert.

CIOB Awards and Annual Lecture & Awards in partnership with CITB NI

Monday 18 Jan 2016

CITB NI are delighted to be working in partnership again with CIOB for the Annual Lecture and Awards Ceremony on Wednesday 25th January 6pm - 7.30pm.

The title of the lecture is:  'Irish Football Association's National Football Stadium Redevelopment at Windsor Park' presented by the main contractor, O'Hare & McGovern.

 

CITB NI's Response to Apprenticeship Levy Consultation

Wednesday 04 Jan 2017
The Department for the Economy have launched an open consultation for feedback and insight into the forthcoming Apprenticeship Levy.

The Apprenticeship Levy will be introduced across the UK in April 2017 and will apply to all employers in Northern Ireland. Those with a pay bill of over £3million will be net contributors to the Levy.

Christmas Closure

Monday 21 Dec 2015
The offices of CITB NI will close on Friday 23rd December and re open Tuesday 3rd January 2017. We would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

New Year: New Training Solutions for the local construction industry

Wednesday 04 Jan 2017
The festive season is now over and 2017 has well and truly arrived. The first month of the year offers the opportunity for a fresh start and training is normally high on the agenda. CITB NI are focused on driving investment in skills and training that a growing construction sector requires and offer key initiatives to help the industry train.

CEF advises that CSR card is accepted in the Republic of Ireland

Thursday 05 Jan 2017
The Construction Skills Register (CSR) has a mutual recognition agreement with SOLAS in the Republic of Ireland that confirms that the CSR one day health and safety course is deemed equivalent to the Safepass health and safety course and vice versa.

Survey Results: 95% of employers ensure they have the right health and safety knowledge.

Thursday 12 Jan 2017
CITB NI has just released the findings of the latest Employer Attitudes and Motivations to Learning and Training Wave 16 survey. The headlines from the survey include:
 
• Whilst many of the findings from this report are positive, the survey was conducted fairly soon after the Brexit vote and its impact may not yet be felt.
• The upward trend in numbers of employers reporting skill shortages continues but there has been a drop in those reporting a need to increase sales.
• 86% expect turnover to stay the same or increase – in 2015 more expected a decrease in turnover than an increase.
• Two-fifths of employers had or had attempted to recruit in the last 12 months (up from one third in 2015). 67% of employers said that rates of pay for their staff had increased.
• 95% of companies could describe an action they had taken to improve the health and safety knowledge of their workers.
 

Applications for Leader in Construction 2017 Now Open

Friday 27 Jan 2017

Applications open today for CITB NI's Leader in Construction Programme.
This programme will help support and nuture the skills you or your people need to succeed as a future leader in the construction industry. Coaching and practical workshops using construction specific examples will develop innovative, results-driven and inspiring leaders. A visit to the Leuven Institute (Brussels) will help broaden outlook, expand networks and help develop relationships bot locally and on a European level.

Introduction to Tendering and Using Social Media to Promote Your Business

Friday 27 Jan 2017
This seminar will cover procurement and why it is important, types of tenders and the tender process, how to prepare a tender, joint ventures and third party agreements and tips on a winning tender. The second session of the seminar will focus on social media and how to use it effectively to promote your business, with tips and techniques on how to use social networks to help your business flourish.

NVQ Construction Site Supervisor Development Programme

Thursday 02 Mar 2017

Are you looking to develop your staff or yourself as a Site Supervisor and gain an NVQ 4 at the same time?

Do you already have supervisory responsibilities onsite and wish to achieve a formal qualification?

Are you a company wanting to improve your quality and effectiveness of your construction process?

This work based qualification could be the one for you.

CITB NI Celebrate Success with Constructions Outstanding Achievers at Annual CIOB Awards.

Thursday 26 Jan 2017
CITB NI hosted another successful Chartered Institute of Building Lecture and Awards evening at Nutts Corner Training Centre acknowledging local students in their professional exams in 2016.
The presentation focused on the ‘The Irish Football Association’s National Football Stadium Redevelopment at Windsor Park’ presented by O’Hare & McGovern.

CITB NI award top GCSE Construction candidates at Annual Awards Ceremony

Friday 27 Jan 2017
CITB NI recognised those who got top accolades in GCSE Construction and the Built Environment in 2016 at the Annual Chartered Institute of Building Awards held at Nutts Corner Training Centre.

The GCSE in Construction and the Built Environment has been developed by CCEA to help students develop knowledge and understanding of the construction industry and have opportunities to apply their developing knowledge and skills in relevant, enjoyable and work-related contexts.

Important information for those employers who claim CITB NI Training Grants

Monday 24 Apr 2017
CITB NI offers direct grants to our registered employers for support in a wide range of training and qualifications for their employees working in Northern Ireland. Whether you’re training new recruits, developing established staff or looking for improvements in other areas of your business, we can offer advice on training and grants to meet your needs.



Please note the following essential information when applying for Tier 1 Direct Grants to Employers;
• Grant Applications for Tier 1 grant MUST be received by CITB NI within 3 months of commencement of training, otherwise grant will be declined. Grant applications can still be submitted even if all the supporting information is not available at the time the training is completed.
• Grant will only be paid to employers who submit an actual levy return form during the month of August 2016. Those employers taking the option must comply with the appropriate deadlines, otherwise you will not be eligible to claim grant in the training year 1 Sept 2016 to 31 August 2017.  
• Levy Payers will only be eligible to receive grant aid to the value of total levy paid. This limit does not apply to apprentice grants.
• All registered employers below the levy threshold of £80,000 are eligible to claim grant to the value of £500. This limit does not apply to apprentice grants.
• We reserve the right to request evidence of employment for those employees for which grant is being claimed.
• An employer should not rely on statements made by third partied about grant rates, eligible training or the claiming process.

Press Clippings for December 2016 & January 2017

Thursday 02 Feb 2017
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during December 2016 and January 2017.

Slight upturn in local construction industry forecast for 2017

Wednesday 08 Feb 2017
2015 was the first year since 2007 that Northern Ireland’s construction industry had finally seen some decent growth, largely driven by good performances in the housing and public non-housing sectors. Strong growth has not been sustained in 2016, however, with the outturn for the year as a whole likely to show a modest fall.
 
The industry is expected to return to growth in 2017 and expand by an annual average of 1.6% over the five years to 2021, close to the UK rate of 1.7%. These are lower growth rates for both the devolved nation and the UK than those predicted last year for the 2016 to 2020 period as the events of 2016 have injected a considerable amount of global uncertainty into the system, leading to more cautious predictions for the economic outlook.
 

Survey - Occupational Health in NI

Thursday 02 Mar 2017
In an effort to identify how well Northern Ireland employers are managing Occupational Health NI Safety Group, IOSH (NI Branch), BuildHealth, BOHS, HSENI and the Public Health Agency are working together to conduct a survey to establish what level of knowledge organisations have and what gaps exist.

Your input will be of great value in providing information. Along with others your answers will help build a picture of how employers are managing this activity.

Skillbuild NI 24th March at Southern Regional College

Tuesday 07 Mar 2017
The countdown is on; Southern Regional College will host the Skillbuild NI Finals on 24th March 2017 in the Portadown Campus.  Skillbuild NI, run and governed by CITB NI, is held annually each spring with the top local construction apprentices competing to win coveted titles ranging from brickwork to wall and floor tiling. The winners may then go on to represent Northern Ireland in the Skills Show UK and potentially at WorldSkills.

Press Clippings for February 2017

Thursday 09 Mar 2017
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during February 2017

BIM & Waste Mgt Seminar with site visit in partnership with Heron Bros Ltd

Monday 14 Mar 2016
As part of CITB NI's Business Improvement Seminars we are organising one on BIM & Waste Mgt with a site visit (in partnership with Heron Bros Ltd). This seminar will cover all aspects of Business Information Modelling and include: Levels of BIM, Dimensions of BIM, Why BIM? and the Implementation of BIM in Northern Ireland

The seminar will also focus on Waste Management and include; How to develop a Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP),  How to estimate approximate tonnages of waste, How to identify main waste materials, Developing & implementing objectives & targets and Monitoring & measuring your SWMP.

Construction apprentices compete to be the best at Skillbuild NI 2017

Tuesday 28 Mar 2017
Over 75 local construction apprentices gathered their tools to compete against each other in the annual Skillbuild NI National Finals which was held in Southern Regional College, Portadown on 24th March.
 
Skillbuild NI, which is now in its fortieth year, is supported by the Department for the Economy helping to assist with maintaining and raising the status and standards of professional and technical education and training. The competition is run and governed by CITB NI, is held annually each spring with many winners progressing further to represent Northern Ireland in the Skills Show UK and potentially at WorldSkills.
 
The Skillbuild NI competition is designed to test skills, technique and ability within tight timeframes in order to win coveted titles in 11 different trades ranging from brickwork to wall and floor tiling.

Apply for your CITB NI Training Grant Online.

Thursday 30 Mar 2017
Have you claimed your CITB NI Training Grant yet?  CITB NI offers direct grants to registered employers for support in a wide range of training and qualifications for their employees working in Northern Ireland. Through our website you can apply for your grant online, it is a simple and easy to follow process and takes the paperwork element out of it.

Survey results: High Satisfaction levels for CITB NI

Sunday 24 Apr 2016
Almost 80% of employers were satisfied with the overall service CITB NI has provided to their company and more than half completely satisfied according to the recent results of the Employer Tracking Survey which highlights results of approximately 100 telephone interviews with construction sector employers. 

 

Introduction to Tendering and Using Social Media to Promote Your Business

Thursday 20 Apr 2017
We are delighted that this seminar is returning to County Fermanagh on 24th May 2017. This seminar will cover what is public procurement and why it is important. The different types of tenders and the tender process, tips for better tenders and what makes a winning tender. The seminar will also cover social media and how it can benefit your business for lead generation, networking and choosing the right social media for your business.

Important Information about the Annual Levy Return Deadline

Tuesday 04 Apr 2017
According to a recent survey of 100 construction employers 91% of respondents were aware that in order to claim a grant they had to submit a levy return  form by 31st August each year.

However many did not return their forms by this date and missed out on essential benefits.  

Don’t miss out – return your Annual Levy Return Form by 31st August 2017

Press clippings for March 2017

Wednesday 05 Apr 2017
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during March 2017

Beginners Guide to Risk Assessment Fri 24 Nov

Thursday 10 Nov 2016
CITB NI have created a specialist training partnership with South Eastern Regional College (SERC)  to deliver a brand new virtual environment risk assessment training programme to help businesses understand the basic processes involved in making their workplace legally compliant.
 

Launch of Apprenticeship Levy – 6th April 2017

Thursday 06 Apr 2017
The Government’s 2015 Spending Review and Autumn Statement announced a new Apprenticeship Levy on large firms to be introduced in April 2017 with the Apprenticeship funding model expected to be rolled out to all employers across the UK by 2019.
All employers with a pay bill of more than £3 million will pay the Levy. The Government estimate that this equates to less than 2% of UK employers
 
The rate for the levy is 0.5% of the employer’s pay bill in excess of £3 million.  This will be collected by HMRC via the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) scheme.  

Easter Closure

Tuesday 12 Apr 2016
The offices of CITB NI will close on the afternoon of Friday 14th April and reopen on Monday 24th April. We wish you all a Happy Easter

Changes to CISRS Requirements

Tuesday 20 Jun 2017
From 1st July 2017 there will be a mandatory requirement to attend a two day CISRS CPD training course prior to scaffolder or advanced card renewal.

Press clippings for April 2017

Sunday 08 May 2016
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during April 2017.

Press Clippings for April 2017

Sunday 08 May 2016
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during April 2017

Press clippings for April 2017

Sunday 07 May 2017
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during April 2017.

Qualifying the Existing Workforce programme successfully delivers almost 1800 free qualifications

Wednesday 10 May 2017
 
CITB NI’s Qualifying the Existing Workforce programme, funded by the Department for the Economy and delivered in partnership with the Joint Council for the Building and Civil Engineering Industry has recently come to an end. The programme provided almost 1800 free NVQ Level 2 qualifications in a range of occupations over the last five years and has been one of CITB NI’s most successful projects to date.
 
The most popular occupations were plant (various categories) at 1156, bricklaying (211), concrete occupations (various, 123) and wood trades (111). These were delivered by a total of 15 assessment providers across the whole of Northern Ireland with the majority of occupations being achieved in County Tyrone.
 

Industry shows support for CITB NI despite tough political and economic times

Sunday 21 May 2017
What a difference a year makes.  As we approach the mid-way point of the calendar year and the last remaining months of CITB NI’s training year it is poignant that the political landscape has changed and future uncertainty affects industry, growth and skills.

At this current time we do not have a local Assembly in Government and whilst this is disappointing, the wheels of industry have to keep turning. It is reassuring to see construction work continuing and the development of city centre hotels and offices which is great for the local workforce and the economy.

BIM & Waste Mgt Seminar with site visit in partnership with Lagan Construction

Monday 20 Jun 2016

Come along to our next  Business Improvement Seminar focusing on BIM & Waste Management in partnership with Lagan Construction and incorporating a site visit. Key speakers include Mark McKane and Richard Robinson.

CITB NI Specialist Training

Wednesday 31 May 2017
CITB NI is proposing to run three different specialist training programmes over the next few months and would like to determine how many people in the industry would be interested. CITB NI will be subsidising or grant-aiding the costs of this training for registered in-scope employers.
 
The three programmes are:
Water Damage Restoration Technician
Retrofit Coordinator
Safety Net Installation and / or Inspection.
 
In addition, we are interested in finding out if there is adequate demand for the following:
 
One-Day In-Depth Tendering Programme (construction specific).
 

 
 

Press clippings for May 2017

Wednesday 31 May 2017
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during December 2016

Looking to hire a room for meeting, seminar or conference, look no further than CITB NI

Tuesday 15 May 2018
CITB NI offers a wide range of low cost room hire and conference facilities in an easily accessible location close to Belfast International Airport and the main motorway systems. 

Our rooms range in size and can accommodate from 3-4 people up to 100 plus they are suitable for interviews, meetings, courses and conferences.

 
With free Wi-fi and ample free parking CITB NI could be the ideal location for you.

Essential Website Maintenance

Tuesday 07 Jul 2015
Due to system upgrades CITB NI will not have any internet access on Thursday 20th July 2017. Our website will still be fully functionable but we will not be able to answer any emails.
You can also contact us on 028 90 825466. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Health and Work Survey

Friday 09 Jun 2017
CITB NI has been asked to help promote a survey of the construction industry that aims to help employers and the workforce with sickness & absence issues.  This is an important issue for the industry because:
 

  • Tackling sickness absence, and the reasons for it, at an early stage has enormous benefits to employers and employees alike, but the right advice and support can be hard to find. 
 
  • CITB NI has agreed to work with The Department for Communities (DFC) to determine if there is a need for a specific free health and work service aimed at small construction employers. 
 
  • Direct access to such a service would help ensure that your employees can be seen by a dedicated specialist team of health professionals at an early stage, to agree a rehabilitation plan.
 
  • This will have many benefits such as reducing sickness absence costs (time off work costs) by preventing health conditions from becoming worse, better availability of staff, and reducing the need to recruit and train new staff.
 
  • Examples of conditions the proposed service could help advice on include: stress, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, musculoskeletal and back problems, asthma, blood pressure, heart & circulatory problems etc.  Another great benefit of the service is that employees can be supported whilst in work.

Accountants Briefing

Sunday 28 May 2017
CITB NI invite all Accountants and Financial Advisers who have clients working in the construction industry to a briefing to help ensure all clients know what it means to be registered and how they can benefit.

Hosted by CITB NI Chief Executive Barry Neilson

Retrofit Coordinator Diploma

Monday 07 Jul 2014
CITB NI is facilitating the delivery of a six-day training programme which will qualify participants as ‘Retrofit Coordinators’. This programme has been developed and is accredited by the Retrofit Academy https://www.retrofitacademy.org/ to enable you to:

- Comprehensively support and direct retrofit projects
- Raise quality and reduce defects
- Optimise project costs
- Manage and mitigate technical risks

The course equips professionals with the skills and knowledge to:
- manage technical risks
- avoid the common failure points
- increase team productivity
- maximise the project budget
- minimise unnecessary expenditure

Water Restoration Technician Training

Monday 15 Aug 2016
CITB NI is facilitating the delivery of a three day IIRC Water Restoration Technician Training Course by the National Flood School and following the completion of a 2 hour examination a the end of the course participants will gain an internationally recognised qualification.

Important - Annual Levy Return Information

Saturday 27 Aug 2016
You should have now received your 2017 Annual Return Form.  Deadline for receipt of the completed Return is 5pm on 31 August 2017. Grant forms will not be printed this year but are available to download from our website or you can claim online. Grants will not be paid over the 2017/18 training year if you miss the Levy Return deadline.

Press clippings for June 2017

Monday 03 Jul 2017
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during June 2017

CITB NI Closure

Tuesday 07 Jul 2015
The offices of CITB NI will be closed from Monday 10th July - Friday 14th July, reopening on Monday 17th July.

Retrofit Coordinator Diploma

Tuesday 07 Jul 2015
CITB NI is facilitating the delivery of a six-day training programme which will qualify participants as ‘Retrofit Coordinators’. This programme has been developed and is accredited by the Retrofit Academy https://www.retrofitacademy.org/ to enable you to:

- Comprehensively support and direct retrofit projects
- Raise quality and reduce defects
- Optimise project costs
- Manage and mitigate technical risks
 

Leisure Transformation Programme – Belfast City Council – Meet the Buyer Event 10 Aug

Tuesday 16 Aug 2016

Following on from the successful Pre-Tender Briefing at Belfast City Hall on 26th June, a Meet the Buyer Event will take place on 10 August at the Olympia Leisure Centre, Belfast.

Sub-contractors interested in working with the lead contractor Heron Bros, on the Belfast City Council Leisure Transformation Programme are encouraged to attend.  Representatives from Heron Bros will be on hand at the event to discuss opportunities in each of the following categories:

·         groundworks, drainage and external works

·         windows, doors and curtain walling

·         building supplies

·         construction and finishing trades

·         fixtures & fittings

 

CITB NI INVEST £100K TO ENCOURAGE 100 APPRENTICES INTO THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Monday 04 Sep 2017
CITB NI has today launched a campaign to encourage 100 new apprentices into the local construction industry in an effort to meet a demand for an average of over 700 additional people per year over the next five years and to address the skills shortages in traditional trades such as bricklayers, joiners and roofers.
The initiative comes as factors such as skills shortages and an aging workforce are putting the industry at risk, creating opportunities to encourage growth amongst employers and apprentices within the sector.

Construction Apprenticeships could be the right career move for you

Tuesday 15 Aug 2017
Are you due to receive GCSE/A’Level results, not sure of your next step?

The Northern Ireland Construction Industry needs more apprentices to help sustain the future of the industry. Be a part of driving the economy forward, constructing a huge range of buildings and infrastructure including, houses, hospitals, roads, motorways and large investment projects to name a few and building your own future as well as that of our country.

CITB NI participating in Skills NI careers exhibition

Tuesday 26 Sep 2017
 CITB NI is delighted to be promoting construction as a career at the Skills Northern Ireland event on the 18 and 19 October 2017 at the Titanic Exhibition Centre, Belfast.
 
Skills Northern Ireland is the one-stop shop for career opportunities in Northern Ireland and provides young people with the opportunity to try a wide range of jobs and training opportunities and to gain inspiration for their future careers. Whether they choose to go to university/college or embark on an apprenticeship, choosing the right career for them is the first step to determining what further learning they need to get there.

Best Practice in Build Quality & Site Inspection Course - New Date Added

Thursday 24 Aug 2017
CITB NI are facilitating the delivery of a One Day Course on Inspection and Build Quality.
This course will include what to look for in construction stages from groundworks to completion and hand over.

The Course on  Wednesday 13th September 2017 is now fully booked and a additional date has been added
Wednesday 20th September
9am - 4.30pm at CITB NI Nutts Corner

Website Essential Maintenance

Wednesday 28 Jun 2017
Our website will be unavailable on Friday 1st September from 7am -9am for essential maintenance. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Girls into Construction Event

Tuesday 04 Jul 2017
Pupils and teachers, why not come to our construction careers event to find out how girls can build a career in construction.

CITB NI launch £1.46m Grant Scheme to help the construction industry train.

Tuesday 05 Sep 2017
CITB NI have launched their new training grants scheme to help encourage the local construction industry to train. The £1.46m scheme offers direct grants to registered employers for support in a wide range of training and qualifications for employees working in Northern Ireland.

Concrete Handling - Practical Guide for Site Personnel

Tuesday 08 Nov 2016
Do you or anyone in your firm work with concrete? Good concrete handling is vital for all construction workers.

Press clippings for July & August 2017

Thursday 07 Sep 2017
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during July & August 2017

Meet the Buyer Event 10th October

Tuesday 26 Sep 2017
The NI Housing Executive is looking to commence its future Planned Maintenance Investment Programme in April 2019. They are looking to appoint Main Contractors to undertake these and a Meet the Buyer Event has been organised for 10 October to identify sub-contractors that would be interested in working in a number of trade areas.

Belfast’s Changing Waterfront – Site Visit

Thursday 28 Sep 2017
Exciting new developments are taking place on Belfast’s waterfront including the new £25m 4-star AC Hotel by Marriott Belfast, the first Marriott Hotel in Northern Ireland which is currently being built by Gilbert-Ash. Work is progressing rapidly and the project is due for completion in 2018. The new hotel, which is providing 180 construction jobs during its construction, will feature 188 bedrooms, a restaurant, a bar / lounge, fitness facilities and meeting rooms. It will also feature a signature restaurant by world-renowned Michelin starred chef Jean-Christophe Novelli. The hotel has an excellent location with great views over the water of Titanic Belfast and the Odyssey.

Press Clippings for September 2017

Wednesday 04 Oct 2017
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during September 2017

Scam Alert

Friday 01 Dec 2017
We’ve all heard of scams from the news etc and some of us have either been victims of these or know someone who’s fallen victim to them. It seems there’s always someone out there trying to take advantage of people.
CITB NI has recently been advised that a telephone caller claiming to be from the County Court Office is contacting companies that have had Judgements made against them claiming to be collecting the debt. They are able to do this because once a judgement has been made against a debtor the information is in the public domain.

Tendering in the Public Sector Construction Market Mon 1st Oct

Thursday 23 Aug 2018

This workshop is designed for Construction Businesses that are targetting (or thinking about targeting) the Public Sector Construction Market - in Northern Ireland, Ireland or Britain. This workshop is designed to help construction businesses improve tender performance and outcomes and help participants do their best work in preparing and submitting tenders for public sector contracts.

 

New Date - Leadership in Construction: Managing & Securing Financial Resources Mon 5th March 2018

Friday 12 Jan 2018
As business leaders or those aspiring to that role, it is critical that you are given the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills you need to effectively lead, develop and grow your business.

CITB NI has developed a short course programme which will develop those skills.

CITB NI building on career foundations at Skills NI

Thursday 20 Oct 2016
CITB NI were hands on promoting careers in construction at Northern Ireland’s largest careers exhibition Skills NI on 18 & 19 October. Over 6000 students attended the event representing over 80 schools across the Province.

Surveys to help Identify Training Needs

Sunday 06 Nov 2016
CITB NI is carrying out a number of surveys to try and identify the training needs of specialist sectors. If you are working in or involved in any way in either flooring or damp proofing, then we want to hear your opinion.
 
CITB NI is also looking for employers who are interesting in training and qualifying general construction operatives and employers who have used or would like to use the Mobile Training Unit to participate in a short survey covering these topics.

You may have already received an e-mail about this survey, but if not, please respond via the appropriate link below:

Local men represent Construction at recent WorldSkills competition

Thursday 27 Oct 2016
Four local young crafts people recently participate as part of Team UK at World Skills Abu Dhabi 2017. The four individuals, three from the Construction and Building Technology Sector competed over the four days of the 15th – 18th October at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ABNEC).

Prince’s Foundation for Building Community is recruiting for its Building Craft Programme 2018-

Sunday 13 Nov 2016
This 8 month Building Craft Programme gives practical experience in traditional building crafts and an opportunity to gain a Heritage Skills NVQ Level 3.
 
This course is designed for craftspeople looking to bridge the gap between basic qualifications and becoming a master craftsperson working within the heritage sector. The programme involves a Summer School and 10 week Live Build followed by placements with traditional building companies and master craftspeople across the UK. Crafts include: stonemasonry, joinery, bricklaying, plastering, thatching, metalwork and painting and decorating.

Event Empowers Girls To Get Into Construction

Tuesday 21 Nov 2017
CITB NI and WOMEN’STEC hosted 60 female pupils plus their teachers from schools around Northern Ireland at a Girls into Construction event today / yesterday. The event was strongly supported by the industry with around 10 companies and self-employed individuals involved including Gilbert-Ash Ltd, Graham-Bam Healthcare Partnership, Arup, Consarc, White Ink, Translink Infrastructure Department, and William & Henry Alexander (Civil Engineering) Limited.

Professional Recognition Award - Presentation Wed 6th December 2017

Monday 20 Nov 2017
CITB NI in association with South Eastern Regional College (SERC) is promoting professional qualifications currently available to all Northern Ireland construction businesses.

Recruiting Apprentices & Training Needs Analysis Workshop 25th April 2018

Tuesday 18 Apr 2017
There are many benefits to employing a construction apprentice. These workshop will highlight how to recruit an apprentice, the funding available and illustrate how to promote opportunities.

Undergraduate Development Programme - revised and updated for 2018

Wednesday 17 Jan 2018
This newly updated 8 day programme assists students undertaking part time or full time Degree, HND of Foundation Degree's relating to construction and the built environment.

Press clippings for November/December 2017

Monday 09 Jan 2017
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during November/December 2017.

Forthcoming CITB NI Training Courses and Workshops for early 2018

Sunday 15 Jan 2017
New year, New Training Resolutions .CITB NI are focused on driving investment in skills and training that a growing construction sector require and we could have the right thing for you.

Please find a list of our forthcoming training courses and workshops for early 2018.


Important Notice: 2017 Annual Return Form

Tuesday 16 Jan 2018
Are you one of the CITB NI employers who has not completed and returned the 2017 Annual Return Form? If so, CITB NI has recently written to you to advise of the consequences for not completing the Return which is a legal requirement.

Please ensure that you have completed and returned your 2017 Annual Return Form and return it to CITB NI before 31 January 2018 or you may miss out on the opportunity to confirm whether or not you are required to pay a levy to CITB NI.

Recruiting Apprentices & Training Needs Analysis Workshop Postponed

Monday 16 Jan 2017
Due to the adverse weather conditions the Recruiting Apprentices & Training Needs Analysis Workshop due to run in Coleraine on 17th January 2018 has been postponed until a later date. We apologise for any inconvenience cause and will notify of rescheduled date in due course.

CIOB Annual Lecture 2018 hosted by CITB NI

Wednesday 18 Jan 2017
The CIOB Annual Lecture and presentation of Awards, hosted by CITB NI will take place on Wednesday 24th January 2018 at CITB NI, Nutts Corner.

The topic will be the exceptional work by GRAHAM-BAM Healthcare Partnership for the £85m Ulster Hospital Phase B2 Inpatient Ward Block, which was awarded the overall winner at the CEF/Specify Construction Excellence Awards 2017,

Digital Marketing & Social Media Workshop 23 May 2018

Wednesday 25 Apr 2018
CITB NI's interactive and example led workshops will empower construction professionals to be able to begin effectively marketing their business online or take their marketing to the next level. Topics covered include developing a digitial strategy, developing a content plan for social media, basic analytical tools and tips on key digital channels.

CITB NI Celebrate Construction winners at Annual CIOB Awards

Monday 29 Jan 2018
CITB NI hosted another successful Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) Lecture and Awards evening at Nutts Corner Training Centre acknowledging local students in their professional exams in 2017.
The presentation focused on the exceptional work by GRAHAM-BAM Healthcare Partnership for the £85m Ulster Hospital Phase B2 Inpatient Ward Block which was awarded the overall winner at the Construction Excellence Awards 2017.

CITB NI award top GCSE Construction Success

Saturday 27 Jan 2018
CITB NI recognised those who got top accolades in GCSE Construction and the Built Environment in 2017 at the Annual Chartered Institute of Building Awards held at Nutts Corner Training Centre.

Press Clippings for January 2018

Monday 05 Feb 2018
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during January 2018

Are you involved in the Built Heritage Sector? We would love to hear from you

Friday 09 Feb 2018
CITB NI is seeking employers who are involved in the built heritage sector in Northern Ireland to participate in a face to face survey (approx. 1 hour) or online survey (approximately 20 mins) to update the skills requirements element of The Traditional Building Craft Skills Report, a skills needs analysis of the built heritage sector, published in 2009 (links to full and summary reports below).  This report has not been reviewed since its publication and in order to get a better understanding of the skills gaps and shortages in the built heritage sector which may impact on the restoration and maintenance of heritage buildings we are conducting a number of face-to-face interviews and an online survey of key stakeholders.
 

Slow but sustained growth predicted for local construction sector

Monday 12 Feb 2018
The recovery in the Northern Ireland construction industry continued last year, with an estimated rise in output of 11% to just under £2.9bn in 2015 prices which was the best outturn since 2008 according to the Construction Skills Network (CSN) report, the UK’s most comprehensive and up to date sector forecast.
 
The public housing sector remained buoyant with a third consecutive year of double-digit output increases, and robust growth was seen in the private housing and commercial construction sectors.
 
Almost inevitably after a period of strong recovery, output growth is projected to slow over the next few years, and average 0.5% a year over the 2018 to 2022 period, but sustain a level not far short of £3bn (2015 prices), the best performance since 2008. The engines of expansion are expected to be the housing (public and private) and repair & maintenance (R&M) sectors.

Credit Control & Cyber Security Seminar

Wednesday 28 Feb 2018
CITB NI's next Business Improvement Seminar will focus on credit control and Cyber Security. Key topics covered will be understanding credit control, cost control, pricing, chasing payments and dealing with difficult customers as well as focusing on Cyber Security and how to protect your business from cyber attacks.

North West Regional College to host Skillbuild NI Finals

Monday 05 Mar 2018
The best of young talent in the Construction Industry will go to head to head at North West Regional College (NWRC) for the finals of Skillbuild NI on March 23.
 
Skillbuild NI, run and governed by the Construction Industry and Training Board Northern Ireland (CITBNI), is held annually each spring with the region’s top local construction apprentices competing to win coveted titles in disciplines ranging from Brickwork to Wall and Floor Tiling.

Press Clippings for February 2018

Wednesday 07 Mar 2018
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during February 2018.

Boost the Skills of your Workforce with Higher Level Apprentices

Thursday 19 Apr 2018
Do you want to boost the skills of your workforce? Consider Higher Level Apprenticeships and claim CITB NI grant.

Traditional Building Skills Research 2018 Closing date Fri 13th April

Sunday 12 Mar 2017
Research was carried out in 2009 into the supply and demand of traditional building skills, or those skills required to carry out repair, maintenance, conservation and restoration of pre-1919 buildings.

CITB NI, along with six other Partners in European Collaboration win European Horizon 2020 Energy pr

Friday 16 Mar 2018
Construction Industry Training Board NI (CITB NI) in partnership with Belfast Met and other European project partners from Ireland, Portugal, Croatia and Macedonia have secured a €1.25M (£1.11m) Horizon 2020 grant to develop BIMcert  - a training model and toolkit to help all levels of the industry take their first, or next, step to working with BIM. Building Information Modelling has become a key requirement in the built environment, where all relevant information is created and managed through the lifecycle of a construction project and where digital and virtual reality technology can be used to provide information on every aspect of the project.  It is a significant tool in the development of better energy efficiency in the construction and ongoing management of our built environment.

Talented young construction Apprentices shine at Skillbuild NI 2018

Monday 26 Mar 2018
Over 70 local construction apprentices gathered their tools to compete against each other in the annual Skillbuild NI National Finals which was held in North West Regional College, Greystone Campus, Limavady on 23rd March 2018.
 
Skillbuild NI is organised by CITB NI and supported by the Department for the Economy and helps to assist with maintaining and raising the status and standards of professional and technical education and training.
 
The competition is held annually each spring with many winners progressing further to represent Northern Ireland in the Skills Show UK and potentially at WorldSkills and is also supported by local construction employers who sponsor each trade category 
 
The Skillbuild NI competition is designed to test skills, technique and ability within tight timeframes in order to win coveted titles in 10 different trades ranging from brickwork to wall and floor tiling.

Easter Closure

Monday 09 Oct 2017
The offices of CITB NI will close on Friday 31st March and reopen on Monday 9th April. Have a happy Easter.

BIMcert Survey - Closing date extended

Saturday 02 May 2015
BIMcert is a European wide project funded by H2020, aimed at providing a large scale training & qualification scheme to ensure that the skills needed for the entire construction supply chain.  As part of the project CITB NI are carrying out a survey of the industry to ascertain the current level of BIM maturity, knowledge and understanding within Built Environment practitioners and academia, to establish current levels of sustainable design and construction practice.

Click on the survey link below. It will only take 10mins to complete.

BIMcert Survey

The survey will close on Thursday 10th May

Press Clippings for March 2018

Tuesday 10 Apr 2018
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during March 2018

Website Essential Maintenance

Monday 17 Apr 2017
We will be carrying out essential website maintenance on Wednesday 18th April 2018 @7.30am. The website will be unavailable for no longer than 30mins. Thank you for your co operation.

NVQ 4 Construction Site Supervisor Development Programme

Wednesday 18 Apr 2018
Are you looking to develop your staff or yourself as a Site Supervisor and gain an NVQ 4 at the same time?
Do you already have supervisory responsibilities onsite and wish to achieve a formal qualification? This work-based qualification could be the one for you.

Women in Construction visit new Translink Milewater Service Centre

Monday 01 May 2017
Members of the Women in Construction Network recently visited Phases 1 and 2 of the new Translink Milewater Service Centre thanks to Project Manager Michelle Alcorn. This service centre has been designed to accommodate the new Belfast Rapid Transit (BRT) vehicles but will also service the existing fleet. Attendees were first taken on a tour of Phase 2 which is currently under construction by Henry Brothers Limited.

Read our latest online Magazine

Tuesday 15 May 2018
Our latest Online Magazine brings you the latest news and views from CITB NI on Grants, training and Industry Reports.

Hertiage Angel Awards 2018 Deadline Extended

Thursday 07 Jun 2018

The Heritage Angel Awards aim to celebrate unsung heroes local heritage. Has a member of your staff went over & beyond working on a heritage project? Or maybe a young apprentice has excelled in their skills on a rescue or repair project.. Nominate now https://bit.ly/2jY8tEi

Press clippings for April 2018

Thursday 17 May 2018
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during April 2018

GDPR support for Construction Industry

Thursday 31 May 2018
With the GDPR coming into force on 25th May 2018 a lot of construction businesses are unsure if they are fully compliant. This seminar will help organisations understand the new data protection rules and the next steps they need to take.

Apprentice of the Year 2018

Monday 20 Jun 2016

The Apprentice of the Year awards provide a platform to showcase excellence in, and raise awareness of, the Apprenticeship and Higher Level Apprenticeship programmes. It promotes the consistent development of skills and promotes their value to employers.

The Apprentice of the Year Awards recognise:

  • Apprentices who are making a significant contribution in their workplace and have shown a dedication to excel in their professional development and learning
  • Partnerships between employers and Training Suppliers that support the continuous growth of apprenticeships in Northern Ireland.

BIM Workshop 6th June 2018

Saturday 27 May 2017
CITB NI are holding a workshop to get your views on BIM and what you, industry, would like the education sector to develop and provide to help you.  This is an opportunity to make sure what is produced meets your needs whether you just want to be able to look at information in a model (ie open it up and view it) or you aim to develop your design skills to either build models or elements of models.  We welcome attendance from all sections of the industry; designers, suppliers, contractors (large and small) and facilities managers.

Credit Control & Cyber Security Seminar Wed 20 June 2018

Sunday 18 Jun 2017
CITB NI's next Business Improvement Seminar will focus on credit control and Cyber Security. Key topics covered will be understanding credit control, cost control, pricing, chasing payments and dealing with difficult customers as well as focusing on Cyber Security and how to protect your business from cyber attacks.

Apprenticeship Framework Reviews – Employer Survey Dry lining

Thursday 02 May 2019
CITB NI recognise that skills shortages and an aging workforce are putting the construction industry at risk. We are working with employers, stakeholders and Government to promote career opportunities, generate awareness and review apprenticeship training standards in order to support the workforce of the local construction industry.
 

Safety Nets for Managers (Inspection Training)

Wednesday 04 Jul 2018
Falls from heights remains one of the biggest causes of fatalities and injuries in the construction industry today. Use of safety nets can reduce the risk but only if those safety nets have been installed and maintained correctly.

CITB NI is facilitating the delivery of a short training course which will provide participants with a certificate of competency for three years to inspect safety nets on site. Training will be delivered by G&M Safety Netting Ltd, a FASET accredited provider, and participants will learn to plan for and manage the installation of safety nets, and to identify faults and take remedial action.
 

Inspiring the Construction workforce of the future

Saturday 16 Jun 2018
CITB NI recognise that skills shortages and an aging workforce are putting the construction industry at risk.  CITB NI are working with employers, stakeholders and Government to promote career opportunities, generate awareness and review apprenticeship training standards in order to support the workforce of the local construction industry.

Apprenticeships are the lifeblood of the construction industry and we need employers to recruit and retain apprentices.  It is vital that the right training is in place to produce the highly-skilled workforce required and to help encourage more talented young people into construction.  CITB NI  have boosted the apprenticeship grants available to registered employers for those who take on apprentices and higher level apprentices.

Online Annual Return Now Open

Tuesday 29 Aug 2017
 
You can now complete the 2018 Annual Return form online.  Closing date for submitting our online Return is 4pm on 31 August 2018.
 

CITB NI – helping the Construction Undergraduate prepare for the Workplace

Friday 06 Jul 2018
To work in the construction industry you need to be equipped with specific skills and information that relate to the workplace. CITB NI’s Undergraduate Development Programme develops skills which employers require for graduate level entry into the construction industry.
 
Commencing in November 2018 this programme covers:

  • Certificate in Controlling Health Risks – Construction (CCHR/C)
  • Craft Awareness – knowledge of onsite construction activities
  • Construction Project – practical element planning and delivering a project
  • Health & Safety – essential knowledge for the construction industry

Coming Soon your 2018 Annual Return Levy Form

Tuesday 03 Jul 2018
Your 2018 Annual Levy Return Form will be arriving with you week commencing 30th July 2018.
Deadline for receipt of the completed Return is 4pm on 31st August 2018.  Don't miss the deadline. Complete the Return Online Now.
Grant forms will not be printed this year but are available to download from our website or you can claim online. Grants will not be paid over the 2018/2019 training year if you miss the Levy Return Deadline.

Laying the Foundations for Mental Health in the NI Construction Industry Course

Friday 06 Jul 2018
CITB NI are working in partnership with  Mates in Mind to deliver a series of educational sessions in a bid to start raising awareness, address the stigma of poor mental health and improve positive mental wellbeing amongst Northern Ireland’s construction workforce.

Office Closure

Wednesday 05 Jul 2017
The offices of CITB NI will close on Friday 6th July and re open on Monday 16th July 2018. Have a nice summer break

Press clippings for May/June 2018

Thursday 05 Jul 2018
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during May & June 2018.

CITB NI seeking Employer Support for General Construction Operative Training Programme

Monday 16 Jul 2018
CITB NI is launching a free programme to train 15 new or existing construction site operatives which will help:

  • Develop a skilled pool of labour – prepared for work
  • Employers fill skills gaps and shortages
  • Make recruiting new staff easier and simpler
 
The programme will provide training in 25 skill areas over 3 modules essential for the competent site operative.

CITB NI boosts Training Grants to £1.65million

Tuesday 24 Jul 2018
CITB NI have launched their new £1.65m training grants scheme and increased overall funds available by 30%.  This significant investment will help the local construction industry train in order to be safer, more efficient and more effective. Available from September 2018, the increased funding offers direct grants to registered employers for support in a wide range of training and qualifications for employees working in Northern Ireland.  The training is not limited to just the construction trades.

Construction Industry Employers: We need your input to review National Occupational Standards (NOS)

Thursday 27 Sep 2018
National Occupational Standards (NOS) define the competences which apply to job roles or occupations in the form of statements of performance, knowledge and the evidence required to confirm competence. CITB NI are looking for employers to get involved and provide input into the review of NOS occupations. The following National Occupational Standards (NOS) need to be reviewed to ensure they are current and fit for purpose.

CITB NI working with industry to help identify future construction apprenticeship needs

Monday 20 Aug 2018

CITB NI is working in partnership with industry employer representatives, training providers and the Department for the Economy to focus on the structure, format and standard of construction apprenticeship training now and in the future.
 
Working collectively as the Built Environment Sector Partnership (BESP) the partners work together to ensure that construction apprenticeships meet the needs of employers, have sufficient breadth to support portability and build capacity for apprenticeships and youth training within the construction sector.

 

Women in Construction Network

Tuesday 28 Aug 2018
The Women in Construction Network has been running for several years now and is made up of a group of friendly, inspiring and dedicated women working in a wide range of roles (professional, technical, administrative, managerial) in the construction industry. The Network, which is facilitated by CITB NI, runs a number of different events every year which include site visits, seminars and networking opportunities. These events allow the members to develop networks with people outside their organisation, discuss the industry and its challenges in an informal setting, learn about different parts of the industry, experience what happens on a site if they are office-based, and encourage the next generation to consider working in the industry.

Calling all Floor Covering Employers, Manufacturers, Suppliers

Wednesday 20 Sep 2017
Come along to the first Flooring Sector Training Group consultation meeting at CITB NI on 26/09/18, 10am-12pm.  Everyone welcome! Informal session,  to address the training needs and find solutions for your sector. 

Earlier this training year CITB NI visited a number of  flooring sector companies across Northern Ireland to help identify training needs for the flooring sector and to update companies on the latest CITB NI products and services. 
 

Levy Return Deadline - Appeals Process

Wednesday 25 Oct 2017
Employers who have missed the CITB NI Annual Return Deadline are unable to claim grant between 1 September 2018 - 31 August 2019. Employers have the right of appeal against this decision.

CITB NI & Radius Housing launch Apprenticeship Endeavour Award

Tuesday 20 Nov 2018
CITB NI and Radius Housing are working in partnership to award £500 to a construction craft apprentice who has overcome a significant adversity to allow them to successfully complete their training programme and achieve a construction qualification at NVQ Level 2 or Level 3.   
 
The Apprenticeship Endeavour Award applies to those who undertook their training between September 2016 & August 2018. The competition will be open for entries from Monday, 1st October 2018 and will close on Wednesday, 19th December 2018. 

CITB NI build on their apprenticeship success to get more young people employed in the industry

Tuesday 18 Sep 2018
Additional grant funding, information and guidance from CITB NI resulted in 103 new apprentices joining the construction industry last year.  Encouraged by its success, and given the need for the industry to recruit and train apprentices, CITB NI will further enhance the grant funding by 30% to help encourage more young people to join the industry and more employers to support them.

BuildHealth Annual Conference 17th October 2018

Wednesday 26 Sep 2018
The BuildHealth Annual Conference will take place on 17th October 2018 at Dunsilly Hotel, Antrim. The main focus onf the event is Getting to Grips with Manual Handling.

Introductory Digital Marketing & Social Media Workshop for Construction

Monday 04 Feb 2019
This workshop will give identify the top opportunities in digital marketing giving you practical tools and tips to get started. Aimed at Business Owners, Managers, Marketing Managers and Brand Managers who would like to use more digital marketing in their construction business.

GCSE Construction Book helps pupils build for the future

Wednesday 10 Oct 2018
CITB NI has launched a newly revised textbook to support the delivery of GCSE in Construction and the Built Environment qualification and is providing 25 complimentary copies to each of the 47 schools that teaches the subject.
 
GCSE in Construction and the Built Environment provides students with a realistic understanding and experience of modern day practices in the construction industry and helps develop their knowledge of the construction industry and the built environment. The textbook contains all the essential underpinning knowledge required of a student who has never studied construction before and who wishes to explore the subject for the first time and has been updated to reflect the changes in the specification.

Roofing Apprenticeships

Tuesday 15 Jan 2019
Are you or your staff interested in a career in roofing?
CITB NI in partnership with People1st and Department for Economy are delivering a fully funded apprenticeship for new and existing employees in the roofing industry.

Cyber Security & GDPR Awareness Training for the Construction

Monday 18 Feb 2019
This workshop will give anyone in the construction industry a high-level overview of the steps required to maintain GDPR compliance on an ongoing basis, as well as an overview of the current cyber threat landscape specific to the construction industry and will provide the best practice recommendations towards safeguarding your organisation against cyber attacks.

£5200 Grant Available to Employers who employ an Apprentice for 3 year cycle

Thursday 25 Oct 2018
CITB NI are focused on driving investment in skills and training that a growing construction sector requires and offer key initiatives to help the industry train to ensure the right skills in the right place at the right time.

The CITB NI training grant scheme offers direct grants to registered employers for support in a wide range of training and qualifications for employees working in Northern Ireland.  The training is not limited to just the construction trades.  It also includes Administration, Supervision and Management training.

BIMcert Focus Group/Reality Check Workshop

Sunday 29 Oct 2017
This workshop will cover a project overview, the importance of BIM in sustainability and energy efficiency, industry survey results and showcasing the training approach for BIM content and processes.

Promoting Careers in Construction at Skills NI

Monday 12 Nov 2018
CITB NI exhibited at Skills NI careers show last week in Titanic Exhibition Centre. Visited by thousands of school children, Skills NI is the largest interactive careers show in NI. Visitors were able to meet and interact with our construction ambassadors, take part in building a roof and staircase and take part in the online Go Construct personality quiz.

Press Clippings for Sep/Oct 2018

Tuesday 13 Nov 2018
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during September/October 2018.

Training Delivers Results

Wednesday 14 Nov 2018
Training is so important within all sectors but particularly construction. Well-trained construction workers are safer, better skilled, work faster and make fewer mistakes. They are better motivated and are more efficient and effective.

As an Industry Training Board and Sector Skills Council our vision is to have a construction industry were skills and competence are at the core of every business plan and a training culture where skills are at the heart of each construction company, no matter how large or small. We work with contractors, professional and trade bodies to support training initiatives and skills development for the overall benefit of the industry.

Shortage Occupation List Consultation

Thursday 15 Nov 2018
The Department for the Economy are seeking evidence from stakeholders to help inform the review of the shortage occupation list. We encourage construction employers to review and contribute to the consultation which closes at 6 January 2019 @11.45pm

Business Improvement workshops to help develop skills of local construction employers

Wednesday 28 Nov 2018
CITB NI business improvement seminars and workshops help local construction employers develop skills in key business areas such as digital marketing for beginners and advanced, GDPR, Tendering and Training Needs Analysis.

The seminars are held in local towns and cities across Northern Ireland to ensure convenience for all and employers also get chance to hear the latest information on CITB NI training initiatives, grants and funding.

Led by industry experts, the Business Improvement Seminars are both informal and easy to book and we encourage employers to attend to help develop their skills which will help develop their businesses. Watch our video of Barry Neilson CITB NI Chief Executive explaning a little bit more about the Business Improvement Event Programme.

To book log on to the events section

Essential Telephone Maintenance Wednesday 6th March

Tuesday 06 Mar 2018
On Wednesday 6th March 2019 CITB NI will be undergoing essential telephone maintenance on the network. This will result in no telephone service available. If you need to contact us please do so on the following email addresses.

info@citbni.org.uk
levy@citbni.org.uk
grants @citbni.org.uk

Northern Ireland Construction & Infrastructure Students Excel at WorldSkills UK LIVE

Friday 23 Nov 2018
Northern Ireland construction and infrastructure students competed against hundreds of skilled young hopefuls at WorldSkills UK Live to be crowned the National Champion in their occupational skill. The local competitors worked hard and brought home 2 gold medals, 2 silver medals, 2 bronze medals and 2 highly commended awards.  The students representing the local colleges and their employers and have dedicated a huge amount of time training and focusing for this event.

Advanced Digital Marketing & Social Media Workshop

Thursday 17 May 2018
This half day workshop is aimed at businesses which have already started digital marketing but want to accelerate their learning through practical and helpful insights, tools and tips. It is advanced level so previous experience of digital is required.

Recruiting Apprentices and Training Needs Analysis Workshop in partnership with Invest NI

Thursday 07 Jun 2018
This workshop will identify the different apprenticeships are available, the funding and how to recruit and retain an apprentice. It will also provide you with advice on upskilling your workforce via training needs analysis and how to increase productivity and improve the skills of your team through targetted training.

NVQ 4 Site Supervisor Development Programme

Tuesday 26 Feb 2019
Do you already have supervisory responsbilities on site and wish to receive a formal qualification? This work based qualification could be the one for you.

Top 10 things CITB NI does for the NI Construction Industry.

Tuesday 18 Dec 2018
CITB NI is both an Industry Training Board and Sector Skills Council. Our role is to work in partnership with the industry improving their performance and productivity through improving the skills of those employed or intending to be employed in the industry. The Top things we do for the NI construction industry are listed below.

Press Clippings for November 2018

Tuesday 12 Dec 2017
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during November 2018.

27th World Championship of Young Roofers in Riga, Latvia, 2018 Special Presidents Prize

Tuesday 18 Dec 2018
The Pitch Roofing Team won the overall Presidential Award, this is the second time the UK has won this prestigious prize.

The competition also demonstrated the industries tremendous commitment and support for the development of young roofers. Training was provided by Bob Coutts at CITB NI premises, Nutts Corner Training Centre, Crumlin, Northern Ireland.

Also, a big thank you for the support from NFRC, Kytun, Marley Eternit John Brash, Klober, Redland Monier, Briggs Amasco, Moy, Sika Sarnafil, Fakro and Velux.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Merry Christmas

Monday 18 Dec 2017
The offices of CITB NI will close on Friday 21 December 2018 and re open on Wednesday 2 January 2019. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Advanced Tendering in the Public Sector Construction Workshop Wed 5 June

Thursday 17 May 2018
This workshop run in partnership with Intertrade Ireland is designed for construction businesses that are experienced in targetting (and winning) business in the public sector construction market in Ireland and Great Britain. The workshop will focus on idenitifying the large opportunities emerging in the public sector.

Important notice regarding CITB NI telephones on Wed 9 Jan 2019

Monday 08 Jan 2018
Due to essential staff training the telephones will be off line on Wednesday 9th January 2019 from 9:30am-4:30pm.

If your query urgent please email one of the following: 
General: info@citbni.org.uk, Grants: grants@citbni.org.uk, Levy: levy@citbni.org.uk

Press clippings for December 2018

Sunday 14 Jan 2018
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during December 2018

Employer Consultation: Apprenticeship Frameworks – Carpentry & Joinery, Wood Machining & Bricklaying

Thursday 18 Jan 2018
CITB NI is currently undertaking a review of the apprenticeship frameworks Carpentry and Joinery, Wood Machining, and Bricklaying, having gained approval to proceed from the Built Environment Sector Partnership and the Department for the Economy.
 
The apprenticeship frameworks will set out the required standards, preferred assessment approach and qualifications for each occupation with the new apprenticeship frameworks being introduced on a phased basis starting in 2018 with migration expected to be completed by 2020.
 
As such we would like to invite you to discuss the apprenticeship frameworks to ensure that they meet the needs of employers and young people.
 
The views of employers are vital for informing the review of these apprenticeships, and we hope you can contribute to the discussion:
 

Local Construction Success at Annual CIOB Awards

Wednesday 24 Jan 2018
CITB NI hosted another successful Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) Lecture and Awards evening at Nutts Corner Training Centre acknowledging local students in their professional exams in 2018.

Digitial Construction (BIM) Trials and Testing Workshop

Thursday 24 Jan 2019
Be part of the new era in construction and have your say at the first round of trials and testing on the latest training and self assessment routes currently being involved.

CITB NI award top GCSE Construction Success

Wednesday 30 Jan 2019
CITB NI recognised those who got top accolades in GCSE Construction and the Built Environment in 2018 at the Annual Chartered Institute of Building Awards held at Nutts Corner Training Centre last week.

Press Clippings for January 2019

Tuesday 12 Feb 2019
A summary of CITB Ni news which appeared in the press during January 2019.

Two worthy winners will be awarded the CITB NI & Radius Housing Apprenticeship Endeavour Award

Monday 25 Feb 2019
Two local young construction workers will be awarded the very first Apprenticeship Endeavour Award in partnership with CITB NI and Radius Housing at the forthcoming Skillbuild NI competition in March.
Robert Mythen and Gerard McGeown were both nominated by their respective colleges Southern Regional College and Belfast Metropolitan College as they have overcome significant  personal adversities which allowed them to continue their construction training, gain qualifications and employment within the industry.

Registered Employer Benefits

Monday 04 Mar 2019
If your business requires free onsite awarenss training via our Mobile Training Unit (MTU) or if you have employed apprentices, CITB NI can help.
Contact us on 028 90825466 to find out more

Press Clippings for February 2019

Monday 11 Mar 2019
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during February 2019.

CITB NI host Skillbuild NI Finals at Belfast Met

Monday 12 Mar 2018
The annual student construction competition SkillBuild NI will return to Belfast Met’s Castlereagh campus on March 22.
 The event, which is run by CITB NI, attracts top local apprentices from across Northern Ireland who go head to head in a bid to win in categories such as wall and floor tiling and brickwork.
The winners may then go on to represent Northern Ireland in the Skillbuild or Skill M&E UK National Finals and potentially the UK at WorldSkills.
 

CITB NI and HSENI Small Builders Seminar on 16th April 2019

Monday 26 Mar 2018
Small Builders Workshop
 
HSENI and CITB NI are pleased to be running a joint seminar on Tuesday 16th April 2019. The seminar will provide information for those responsible for smaller construction projects and their clients.

Construction Apprentices Compete to be the best in their trade at Skillbuild NI 2019

Thursday 28 Mar 2019
Over 80 local construction apprentices gathered their tools to compete against each other in the annual Skillbuild NI National Finals which was held at Belfast Metropolitan College, Castlereagh on Friday 22 March 2019.
 
Skillbuild NI organised by CITB NI and supported by the Department for the Economy and local sponsors helps assist with maintaining and raising the status and standards of professional and technical education and training.

Two worthy winners awarded the CITB NI & Radius Housing Apprenticeship Endeavour Award

Thursday 28 Mar 2019
Two local young construction workers have been awarded the very first Apprenticeship Endeavour Award in partnership with CITB NI and Radius Housing at the Skillbuild NI competition in March.

Robert Mythen and Gerard McGeown were both nominated by their respective colleges Southern Regional College and Belfast Metropolitan College as they have overcome significant  personal adversities which allowed them to continue their construction training, gain qualifications and employment within the industry.

Heritage Angel Awards Launched

Wednesday 04 Apr 2018

Applications will  open for the Heritage Angel Awards 2019 from the 2nd of April and will close on the 31st of May. During this time, Ulster Architectural Hertiage will be running roadshows across Northern Ireland to answer questions from applicants and offer information about the awards process.

Japanese Knotweed & Giant Hogweed Seminar

Friday 05 Apr 2019
CITB NI have arranged 4 half day awareness raising sessions on Japanese Knotweed and other invasive weeds to support the industry with this increasingly prevalent issue for the built environment and infrastructure sectors.

Complete your Annual Return Form Online Now

Thursday 30 May 2019
You asked and we listened - You can now complete your 2019 Annual Levy Return online NOW.

It is a legal requirement to complete the Levy Annual Return Form.

The 2019 Annual Return Form must be completed and submitted on or before 4pm on 30 August 2019.

CITB NI Easter closure

Wednesday 18 Apr 2018
The offices of CITB NI will close on Friday 19th April 2019 and reopen on Monday 29th April 2019. We would like to wish you all Happy Easter

Constructive Conservation - Working with Traditional Buildings Seminar

Monday 14 May 2018
CITB NI is working in partnership with the Historic Environment Division, Department for Communities to facilitate a free half day seminar for those interested in furthering their knowledge of current best practice on approaching work in heritage buildings - both designated and non designated.

General Construction Operative Programme

Tuesday 30 Apr 2019
CITB NI is running a free programme to train 15 new or existing construction site operatives which will help:

  • Develop a skilled pool of labour – prepared for work
  • Employers fill skills gaps and shortages
  • Make recruiting new staff easier and simpler
 

Employer Consultation on Apprenticeship Framework Reviews – Painting & Decorating, Plastering, Dryli

Thursday 17 May 2018
 
CITB NI is currently undertaking a review of the apprenticeship frameworks Painting & Decorating, Plastering, Drylining, Wall & Floor Tiling, and Stonemasonry.
 
The apprenticeship frameworks will set out the required standards, preferred assessment approach and qualifications for each occupation with the new apprenticeship frameworks being introduced on a phased basis starting in 2018 with migration expected to be completed by 2020.
 
As such we would like to invite you to discuss the apprenticeship frameworks to ensure that they meet the needs of employers and young people.
 
The views of employers are vital for informing the review of these apprenticeships, and we hope you can contribute to the discussion:

Subsidised CPD Scaffolding Course 13 & 14 August 2019

Tuesday 16 Jul 2019
The Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS) is marking the second anniversary of the introduction of CPD courses for scaffolders by running a number of subsidised courses across the UK. CISRS has reached an agreement with a number of training providers that will enable them to deliver CPD courses for up to only £50 per head.

Support for Construction Employers

Monday 24 Jun 2019
Aside from the support offered by CITB NI through our grants scheme, there are a wide range of sources of grant aid and funding including:

  • Support for start-ups
  • Support for innovation and R&D
  • Support for working with colleges and universities.

 

Construction Skills Network 2019-2023

Friday 07 Jun 2019
The annual NI Construction Skills Network (CSN) report (2019 – 2023) - a five-year forecast into the industry’s skills needs - anticipates construction output growth of 0.8% in Northern Ireland, up slightly from the previous year. The forecast is based on the scenario that the UK agrees an exit deal with the EU, rather than a ‘No Deal’ situation. The Annual Recruitment Requirement for the same period is 500 new workers each year.

Press clippings for March/April 2019

Tuesday 15 May 2018
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during March/April 2019.

Social Impact Measurement Training - Wed 28 Aug 2019

Tuesday 21 Aug 2018
CITB NI and Social Enterprise NI are working together to deliver training which is open to all construction organisations. This training is suited to those who work with social enterprises in their supply chain, have a positive social impact in those communities but unsure how you measure the impact.

CITB NI’s Women in Construction Network Launches New Careers Materials for Girls

Wednesday 29 May 2019
CITB NI’s Women in Construction Network is proactive in promoting the construction industry as a career for young women. There are many successful women now working in the industry and the old stereotypes associated with construction are falling away. The industry is dynamic and forward thinking and the women working in it are creating successful careers with bright futures.

Annual Construction Skills Network Observatory Meeting

Thursday 30 May 2019
The CSN LMI forecasts for 2019-2023 were published earlier this year and work is already underway on next year’s
forecasts. As a leading industry skills forecast, CSN receives national and regional media coverage and
provides vital information to both industry and stakeholders.


Annual Levy Return Form 2019

Wednesday 22 Aug 2018
You should now have your 2019 Annual Levy Return Form.
Please complete and return it to CITB NI before 4pm on 30 August 2019.
Don’t miss the deadline.  Complete the Return online NOW

One Day Emergency First Aid at Work Training Course

Tuesday 20 Aug 2019
**NEW DATES JUST RELEASED**
CITB NI are providing a series of FREE One Day Emergency First Aid at Work Training Courses throughout Northern Ireland.

Successful completion will result in a Level 3 Emergency First Aid at work certificate issued by Highfield Qualifications.

Book Now - Places are filling up fast!

CITB NI supporting local schools with GCSE resources

Monday 24 Jun 2019
CITB NI has developed a textbook to support the GCSE in Construction and the Built Environment subject and is providing 25 complimentary copies to each of the 45 schools that teaches the subject.

10 reasons to employ an apprentice

Monday 29 Jun 2020
Apprentices are good for your business!

Research indicates that apprenticeships boost productivity so more and more employers are choosing to grow their business by employing apprentices. Offering young people an apprenticeship gives your business the chance to play an active role in creating your future workforce and developing future skills that they need to help your business grow.

Press Clippings for May 2019

Wednesday 26 Jun 2019
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during May 2019

CITB NI July Holidays

Wednesday 04 Jul 2018
The offices of CITB NI will be closing on Friday 5th July and will reopen on Monday 15th July 2019

CITB NI £1.45m grant scheme to help support construction training

Monday 22 Jul 2019
CITB NI have launched their new £1.45m training grants scheme to help encourage the local construction industry to train. The newly updated and improved scheme will be available to registered employers from September 2019 and supports a wide range of training and qualifications for their employees working in Northern Ireland.
The significant investment and improvements will give more value to the construction employer and more benefits to the industry.

Grant Information Sessions 2019/2020 - 6 & 7 August 2019

Tuesday 24 Jul 2018
Are your company's training costs spiralling out of control? CITB NI can help.
Come along to 1 of our Grants Information Sessions and find out more about the new and improved CITB NI Grant Scheme for 2019/2020 which comes into force on 1st September.

CITB NI & NHBC Training Courses

Thursday 22 Aug 2019
CITB NI are working in partnership with NHBC to offer a range of open courses through 2019/20. These courses are aimed at site managers, if you work within a home-building company or within their sub-contract supply chain.

WorldSkills 2019

Wednesday 21 Aug 2019

Four talented Northern Ireland competitors are competing international WorldSkills competition being held in the Russian city of Kazan.

CIOB Award top student

Thursday 15 Aug 2019
Peter Clarke QTAS student, attained best UK and overseas student certificate of excellence award for his outstanding performance 2018,  achieving the highest marks among his competitors. He was presented with his glass crystal award and certificate by Gary Blair Chair of the CIOB Belfast Hub at CITB NI premises Nutts Corner Training Centre, Dundrod Road.
 

Important Information

Monday 02 Sep 2019
If your 2019 Return was not received by the deadline of 4pm on 30 August 2019, Grants may not be paid in the 2019/2020 training year. You can appeal within 10 working days from 2 Septemer 2019.



CITB NI Grant Form

Monday 02 Sep 2019
To become more economically friendly and increase the return to industry CITB NI will not be printing the 2019/2020 Application Form or Terms and Conditions of Grant.

Press Clippings for July & August 2019

Monday 02 Sep 2019
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during July & August 2019.

Safer Sites Targeted Inspection Initiative Sept 2019

Wednesday 04 Sep 2019

HSENI, will begin a fortnight long programme of construction site inspections from Monday 16 September 2019.

Help set industry standards - Your input is important.

Thursday 12 Sep 2019
CITB in Great Britain are seeking industry views from all nations and want to hear from construction employers in Northern Ireland. Industry standards are reviewed every five years and consultation for the next five-year cycle is now open.

Future Leaders Fellowships

Monday 16 Sep 2019
Is your construction business innovative and keen to develop new talent? Then Future Leaders Fellowships could be for you. Funding is available from UK Research and Innovation to allow early career researchers and innovators from eligible UK businesses to develop their leadership potential through challenging innovation or research projects. Applicants must have strong track record of delivering innovation / research and/or have PhD.

Cyber Security & GDPR Awareness Training for Construction

Wednesday 10 Oct 2018
This awareness training will give anyone in the construction industry a high level overview of the steps required to maintain GDPR compliance on an on-going basis, as well as an overview of the current cyber threat landscape specific to the construction industry and will provide best practice recommendations towards safeguarding your organisation against cyber attacks.

Introductory Digital Marketing & Social Media Workshop

Monday 08 Oct 2018
This workshop is for Business Owners, Marketing Managers and staff, Sales Managers and Brand Managers who wish to use effective and integrated digital marketing techniques in the construction industry. All content is aimed at an introductory level to help get started in the process of digital inclusion.

Asbestos Training & Cerfification Courses

Monday 08 Oct 2018
UKATA Category 'B' (Work with Non-Licensed Asbestos Materials) Training & Certification Courses.

This course will provide operatives and supervisors with the relevant knowledge and practical skills to carry out non-licensed asbestos removal.

Legislative Changes Awareness Training for construction

Wednesday 10 Oct 2018
Keeping up to date with legislation is important for every construction business. This summary will provide a summary of the main changes found in construction legislation and contracts over the last few years.

Application of BIM for Sustainable Construction Webinar

Wednesday 14 Nov 2018
Whether experienced or just beginning your journey of Digital Construction, come along and join the BIMcert Webinars and have your say on the final round of trials and testing.


The webinar is open to all within construction and will demonstrate and showcase the latest BIMcert platform and training curriculum developed for digital construction and BIM.




GGF Fire-Resistant Glazed Systems Training

Thursday 18 Oct 2018
Are you a specialist installer of fire resistant glazing systems or do you wish to learn more about the product and how to ensure it is installed correctly?

CITBNI and GGF are offering a half-day training session to provide experienced installers with the knowledge behind Good Practice in the installation of fire-resistant glazing to enable them to understand the importance of complying within specification contained in test evidence for that fire resistant assembly.

CITB NI Web Site More Accessible to all

Tuesday 18 Dec 2018
CITB NI is committed to developing an IT strategy to help provide industry with a cost-efficient service and to improve our productivity and performance.
 
Central to this strategy is CITBNI’s website which is used by both the general public and CITB NI registered employers

NI Apprenticeship Awards 2020

Tuesday 23 Oct 2018
The Department for Economy Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Awards 2020 are open for applications. Closing date for nominations is Friday 25 October.
 
CITB NI are encouraging those in construction to nominate for these prestigious awards. You may have recently employed an apprentice who deserves recognition in their trade.
 

FREE Mental Health & Well Being Training

Tuesday 28 Jan 2020
Mental Health in construction is a significant issue, with over a third of construction workers reporting that they have experienced a condition in the past year. CITB NI are providing FREE Mental Health and Well Being Training designed to support individuals at all levels.

CITB NI helping encourage the next generation

Monday 28 Oct 2019
CITB NI have launched a three-year careers strategy to help promote careers in construction and encourage the next generation of the opportunities a career in the industry can bring.

Skills shortages, an ageing workforce, poor perception of the industry and low numbers of apprentices joining the industry are putting the construction industry at risk. Consequently, the industry needs to do more to successfully promote itself to young people and careers influencers and meet the future demand for additional people.

BIM for Small Construction Businesses

Monday 05 Nov 2018
BIM is already bringing significant changes to the global construction industry. If you are new to BIM this workshop will introduce you to the basic principles that underlie this important process and how you might adopt BIM in your business.

CITB NI & Radius Housing Join Forces again for the 2019/20 Apprenticeship Endeavour Award

Sunday 06 Jan 2019
CITB NI and Radius Housing are working in partnership to award £500 to a construction craft apprentice who has overcome a significant adversity to allow them to successfully complete their training programme and achieve a construction qualification at NVQ Level 2 or Level 3.   
 
The Apprenticeship Endeavour Award applies to those who undertook their training between September 2017 & August 2019. The competition is now open for entries and will close on Friday 14th February 2020.,

Success at World Skills UK Live 2019

Wednesday 27 Nov 2019
The UK's best young apprentices and students were crowned the nations' No.1 in a glittering ceremony in Birmingham on Saturday 23 November 2019.

Skills NI 2019

Wednesday 27 Nov 2019
As part of the ongoing careers strategy CITB NI promoted construction as a career at the Skills Northern Ireland event held on 20 & 21 November at the Titanic Exhibition Centre, Belfast. The CITB NI stand gave young people the opportunity to construct a roof, build a staircase and find out which role in construction was suited to them.

Press Clippings Oct/Nov 2019

Tuesday 03 Dec 2019
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during October/November 2019.

Advanced Digital Marketing & Social Media Workshop

Thursday 05 Dec 2019
This workshop is for Business Owners, Marketing Managers, Sales and Brand Managers who wish to increase online engagement and conversion and automate digital marketing to yield a higher return.

EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES AWARENESS TRAINING

Wednesday 16 Jan 2019
This workshop is for anyone in the construction industry who is interested in emerging technologies and their impact on design, supply chains, business models and customer development/relations.

CITB NI to host the first ever local Women in Construction Summit 2020

Sunday 16 Dec 2018
CITB NI, the industry training board for the construction industry are hosting their inaugural Women in Construction Summit to be held in Belfast on Thursday 5 March 2020.
 
With a view to inspiring change and shattering stereotypes the Women in Construction Summit will be a full day of inspirational stories, business advice and career development for women currently working in the construction industry, those thinking of joining and for employers who support diversity or best practice in the industry.

Christmas Holidays

Tuesday 18 Dec 2018
The offices of CITB NI will close on Friday 20 December 2019 and reopen on Thursday 2 January 2020. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Adopt a School

Tuesday 03 Mar 2020
CITB NI is looking for construction companies to participate in the CITB NI ‘Adopt a School’ scheme that will provide opportunities for employers to engage with post primary schools in either their local or work areas.

By getting involved you will be engaging with prospective employees and their influencers and telling them about the benefits of a career in construction.

CITB NI launch brand new Mobile Training Unit for the local Construction Industry

Wednesday 15 Jan 2020
CITB NI have launched a brand new, state of the art Mobile Training Unit to help facilitate construction training, education and careers promotion for the Northern Ireland construction industry.

The unit will provide short duration training such as manual handling, working at heights and general health & safety on site to CITB NI registered employers, meaning minimum disruption to work whilst also helping employers train their staff.

CITB NI to host CIOB Annual Lecture & Awards

Wednesday 16 Jan 2019

CITB NI will host the forthcoming CIOB Annual Lecture and Awards evening on Wednesday 22 January 2020 at Nutts Corner to acknowledge local students in their professional exams.

 

 

Mental & Physical health conditions can keep construction workers out of work. CMP might help

Monday 16 May 2022
CMP is currently being offered, as part of a work related health pilot, to help those in construction stay or return to work.
 
CITBN and HSENI are supportive and are helping promote this programme via this pilot   specifically within the construction sector where both mental and physical health conditions can result in workers being out of the workplace.
 

Legislative Changes Awareness Training

Wednesday 22 Jan 2020
Gain an understanding of the main changes to construction legislation and contracts over the last few years.

Tendering in the Public Sector Construction Market

Tuesday 28 Jan 2020
A workshop designed for construction businesses who are in the early stages of targeting, or considering targeting, the Public Sector construction market in Ireland, NI or Britain.

Construction Accolades at Annual Building Awards

Tuesday 28 Jan 2020
CITB NI hosted another successful Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) Lecture and Awards evening at Nutts Corner Training Centre acknowledging local students in their professional exams in 2019.
The lecture was presented by Graham Construction focused on the delivery and construction of The Grand Central Hotel.
Success was the theme of the evening as certificates were awarded to 25 candidates who successfully passed their CIOB examinations last year through QTAS and Training LMS training organisations. Andrew Hatton who trained through LMS was presented with the Best Overall Performance Award for his results in the CMP programme in 2019.

Press Clippings for December to January 2019/20

Tuesday 11 Feb 2020
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during December 2019 to January 2020.

Modern Techniques for Dealing with Contaminated Land Workshop

Tuesday 11 Feb 2020
Are you aware of invasive weeds and their impact on the construction sector? Are you dealing with hazardous land?
CITB NI have arranged four half day awareness raising sessions on invasive weeds and hazardous land to support the industry.

Emerging Technologies for Schools - NI Apprenticeship Week

Wednesday 12 Feb 2020
As part of NI Apprenticeship Week 2020, CITB NI were delighted to host  4 interactive Emerging technologies workshops in partnership with Digital Catapult NI for 5 Post Primary schools  who offer GCSE construction covering key areas of emerging technology and exploring the adoption and impact of these within the construction industry. The students learnt all about virtual reality and artificial intelligence and how these can be used to progress projects within the construction industry.
 

 

Legislative Changes Awareness Training for the Construction Industry

Tuesday 19 Feb 2019
A seminar providing a summary of the main changes found in construction legislation and contracts over the last few years.

Cyber Security & GDPR Awareness Training

Monday 03 Feb 2020
This awareness session will help you understand the new regulations in the context of your sector and embrace data protection and cyber security best practice.

INAUGURAL WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION NI SUMMIT INSPIRES CHANGE AND SHATTERS STEREOTYPES

Sunday 22 Mar 2020
CITB NI, the Industry Training Board for the construction industry, and CITB NI Women in Construction Network has hosted their inaugural Women in Construction NI Summit in Belfast, Thursday 5 March 2020.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> With a view to inspiring change and shattering stereotypes the Women in Construction NI Summit was a full day of inspirational stories, business advice and career development for women currently working in the construction industry, those thinking of joining and for employers who support diversity or best practice in the industry. It also provided thought-provoking tips on career management, helped identify role models and provided an opportunity to expand professional networks.<br /> &nbsp;

Introductory Digital Marketing & Socal Media workshop

Monday 11 Mar 2019
The workshop will provide information on how to build and measure digital marketing activities that will raise the profile of your business and help sell your products and services.

Skillbuild NI National Finals 2020

Monday 11 Mar 2019
CITB NI will host the Skillbuild NI National Finals 2020 at our Nutts Corner premises.

Each year SkillBuild NI brings together the top and brightest talent in a bid to win in categories ranging from brickwork to wall and floor tiling. It also helps to shine a light on the enormous talent, professionalism and brightest recruits that exists across the industry.







Press Clippings for February 2020

Monday 11 Mar 2019
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during February 2020.

CITB NI COIVID-19 Advice

Wednesday 13 Mar 2019





CITB NI COVID-19 Information Hub

Thursday 07 May 2020

CITB NI will support, help and guide construction employers during these unprecedented times. This information hub will be the central source of all our help and guidance for the local construction industry.

Updated Information on CISRS Cards & Courses

Wednesday 17 Apr 2019
Latest Message from CISRS 

With the acceleration of the coronavirus situation over the last few days we fully understand that some CISRS training centres including CITB NI are starting to cancel/reschedule courses.

COVID 19 UPDATE & SUPPORT - MESSAGE FROM BARRY NEILSON

Monday 01 Apr 2019
CITB NI – Information to Federations. & all registered companies

CITB GB has announced that they are deferring issuing this year’s Levy invoices.  To avoid confusion, I would like to outline the measures being taken in GB and those being implemented in NI.
 
I would also like to keep you up to date with the work and considerations we are undertaking here at CITB NI.   

Mental Health Confidential Telephone Helpline

Wednesday 01 Jul 2020
CITB NI, the Industry Training Board for the construction industry, has announced a partnership with mental health and wellbeing charity Inspire. The partnership will provide a range of support services for registered employers and staff throughout the Covid-19 crisis. These include a confidential telephone support helpline and a range of mental health and support webinars.

Annual Levy Return - It's Almost Time

Wednesday 17 Apr 2019
The 2020 Annual Levy Return can be completed online from 6 April 2020.

Apprenticeship Framework Reviews – Employer Surveys

Wednesday 01 May 2019
CITB NI recognise that skills shortages and an aging workforce are putting the construction industry at risk. We are working with employers, stakeholders and Government to promote career opportunities, generate awareness and review apprenticeship training standards in order to support the workforce of the local construction industry.

Advanced Tendering in the Public Sector Construction Market - 2 part Webinar

Saturday 20 Apr 2019
This interactive webinar series run in partnership with Intertrade Ireland is designed for construction businesses that are experienced in targetting and winning business in the public sector construction market in Ireland, N. Ireland and Britain.

The webinar will focus on identifying large opportunties emerging from public sector construction across the UK and Ireland and will also focus on how experienced companies can find another level in bid success through consortium, joint venture and better bid wrting.

Annual Levy Return 2020

Thursday 20 Aug 2020
It’s important to us to be there for you during challenging times. We’re contacting you to let you know that delivery of the printed version of the 2020 Annual Levy Return may be delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic. We also understand that many employers may be in a location different from where they usually receive and complete the Return.

Getting the Best out of your Virtual Team Webinar 17 June 2020

Thursday 30 Apr 2020
CITB NI are working in partnership with Inspire to provide Mental Health & Support webinars free of charge to registered employers. 

The Getting the Best out of your Virtual Team Webinar is aimed at people managers.

Introductory Digital Marketing & Social Media Webinar for the Construction Industry

Sunday 19 May 2019
The workshop will provide information on how to build and measure digital marketing activities that will raise the profile of your business and help sell your products and services to both your end clients and a wider market. As part of the workshop we will focus on practical tactics that will provide tangible return on investment as well as the importance of “rich” content and its necessity to be valuable, relevant, expected, engaging and measured.

Advanced Digital Marketing & Social Media Webinar Thurs 18 June 2020

Tuesday 21 May 2019
Managing an integrated digital marketing strategy is crucial for success for all companies within the construction industry. It is vital that you understand how to maximise digital channels and orchestrate them with a central platform to gain the most success from your time and effort and ultimately raise awareness of your brand and/or company

Annual Levy Return Form 2020

Monday 08 Jul 2019
Your 2020 Annual Return form will be arriving with you shortly.  Deadline for receipt of the completed Return is 4pm on 28 August 2020.  Don’t miss the deadline.  Complete the Return online NOW.

Reverse Charge VAT informaton Webinar Thursday 25 June

Thursday 11 Jun 2020
Reverse VAT charges are on their way and will have an impact on building contractors and sub contractors.
This webinar will highlight the changes proposed and how businesses can prepare for them.

Survey reveals impact of Covid-19 on the local construction industry

Tuesday 16 Jun 2020
The Construction Industry Training Board Northern Ireland (CITB NI) recently conducted a survey to gauge the impact of COVID-19 on the local construction industry and the critical training needs moving forward.

Industry Update from Chief Executive Barry Neilson

Thursday 02 Jul 2020
There is no doubt COVID-19 and the lockdown has changed the way we all work and live and that we are adapting as we progress to the recovery stage.

CITB NI, like our GB counterparts are looking at how we respond to the current crisis and support, guide and help the industry navigate it and look ahead at the recovery that is to come.  Not surprisingly, our focus is on how we work with industry to maintain and continue to develop a skilled workforce.

The importance of construction training post Covid-19

Wednesday 03 Jul 2019
CITB NI are focused on skills and training, we work with contractors, professional and trade bodies to support training initiatives and skills development for the overall benefit of the industry.  Training is important at every stage of business but never has it been as important than during the global pandemic, which has had a major impact on every sector of our economy and society. As we progress through the recovery stage, we all must review, adapt, and take the opportunity to embrace the lessons we have learnt from this crisis which will enable us to enhance and grow our industry.

Holiday Closure

Monday 08 Jul 2019
CITB NI will be closing on Friday 10th July and reopening on Monday 20th July 2020. Staff will not be responding to email queries during this time.

NI Heritage Skills Programme Launched

Monday 27 Jul 2020
Opportunity to become a master craftsperson in heritage/ traditional building crafts. The training is free and you’ll get a monthly bursary of £1,250 tax free. Department for Communities and The Prince’s Foundation are delivering it.

Employer Tracking Survey 2020

Thursday 23 Jul 2020
CITB NI’s mission is to develop and embed a training culture which will improve the skills and productivity of the Northern Ireland construction industry. To fulfil this remit, CITB NI provides various products and services to the construction industry in Northern Ireland and needs to be able to demonstrate that it has the approval and support of the industry

Contact CITB NI via email

Tuesday 22 Oct 2019
With tighter restrictions now in place we are still here to help, support and guide during these unprecedented times. From Monday 26th October 2020 our phone lines will not be in operation for incoming calls. CITB NI staff are still working so please email us with your query and we will either call or email back in response.

CITB NI ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO CHOOSE A CAREER IN CONSTRUCTION

Thursday 20 Aug 2020
‘A’ Level and GCSE result days are a time of decision making and planning for the future. With the question arising of what next, the Construction Industry Training Board NI (CITB NI) is taking the opportunity to help signpost and encourage students to consider a career in construction

SkillBuild NI Infographic - Competitor perspective, future and beyond

Wednesday 26 Aug 2020
Unfortunately, the SkillBuild NI National Finals 2020 did not occur due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Much planning had taken place prior to lockdown, the SkillBuild NI Inter-Campus Competitions were held, to identify the best local trade skills and talent pool to progress to the next stage.

This year CITB NI were keen to gauge the competitors’ perspective via a survey in order to help plan more effectively and raise the profile of SkillBuild NI National Finals.

Introductory Digital Marketing & Social Media for the Construction Industry

Thursday 27 Aug 2020
This workshop is for Business Owners, Marketing Managers, Sales Managers and Brand Managers who would like to use more digital marketing in their construction business. All content is pitched at an introductory / beginner level. 

CITB NI Continue to Support local Schools with GCSE resources

Monday 02 Sep 2019
CITB NI has developed a textbook to support the GCSE in Construction and the Built Environment subject and for the third year in a row is providing 25 complimentary copies to each of the 46 schools that teaches the subject

WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION NETWORK GETS READY TO BUILD MENTORING SKILLS

Friday 11 Sep 2020
Construction Industry Training Board NI (CITB NI) and the Women in Construction Network (WICN) hosted the inaugural Women in Construction Summit in March 2020. During this Summit mentoring was identified as a key area of development for women in construction, and an area CITB NI’s Chief Executive committed to deliver.

Legislative Changes Awareness Training

Thursday 17 Sep 2020
This webinar will provide a summary of the main recent changes in construction legislation and other legal developments.

NVQ 4 Construction Site Supervisor Development Programme

Thursday 17 Sep 2020
Are you looking to develop your staff or yourself as a Site Supervisor and gain an NVQ 4 at the same time?

Do you already have supervisory responsibilities onsite and wish to achieve a formal
qualification?

This work-based qualification could be the one for you.

CITB NI supports the Apprenticeship Recovery Package for Northern Ireland

Wednesday 18 Sep 2019
CITB NI fully supports the Apprenticeship Recovery Package for Northern Ireland launched by the Department for Economy to support local businesses to help the apprenticeship system respond to the impact of COVID-19.

NEW: Online and Mental Health Wellbeing Training

Monday 26 Oct 2020
CITB NI are here to support, guide and advise during these unprecedented times and are working in partnership with Inspire Wellbeing to provide Mental Health and support webinars FREE of charge to registered employers

Advanced Digital Marketing & Social Media

Wednesday 14 Oct 2020
For those who are using digital marketing on a regular basis and want to develop their skills further to they can generate increased leads and business opportunities. Aimed at advanced level.



Press Clippings for September 2020

Tuesday 15 Oct 2019
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during September 2020.

Get Savvy - respond to Covid-19 digitally

Thursday 22 Oct 2020
Join us for a series of workshop webinars to transform your digital marketing in times of Covid

Contact CITB NI via email

Thursday 22 Oct 2020

With tighter restrictions now in place, CITB NI are still here to help, support and guide during these unprecedented times. From Monday 26th October 2020 our phone lines will not be in operation for incoming calls.

CITB GB Chief Executive Resigns and to leave next year

Tuesday 05 Nov 2019
Sarah Beale, Chief Executive CITB GB has resigned from her post and will leave the organisation in September 2021. Sarah has supported construction employers in Great Britain for over 16 years serving as Chief Executive for the past three.

Press clippings for October 2020

Sunday 10 Nov 2019
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during October 2020

Important - Grant Claim deadline

Saturday 16 Nov 2019
Please note that 30 November 2020 is the final date for receipt of grant claims and supporting information for training carried out during January to August 2020.
www.citbni.org.uk/grants
 

CITB NI CONTINUES TO INVEST IN MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Tuesday 24 Nov 2020
Throughout the COVID-19 crisis CITB NI has been committed to working with mental health and wellbeing partners, including the social enterprise Inspire Workplaces, to provide a range of support services for registered employers and staff.  Mental health is recognised as one of the key training priorities for the organisation who, over the past few years, has invested over £50k in training hundreds of participants in this area.

Press Clippings for November 2020

Friday 04 Dec 2020
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during November 2020

Introductory Digital Marketing & Social Media for the Construction Industry

Wednesday 09 Dec 2020
This workshop will give attendees a strong understanding of the digital marketing channels available to use in their business to reach new customers and generate leads.Popular digital marketing channels will be explained in detail with real life examples.

SCHEME LAUNCHED AIMS TO HELP CONNECT CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYERS AND CRAFT APPRENTICES

Friday 11 Dec 2020
CITB NI, with funding from the Department for the Economy’s Apprenticeship Challenge fund, has launched a new scheme called Apprenticeship Connect (NI) - find, match, hire which will help match construction employers and prospective craft apprentices.

CITB NI Christmas Closure

Sunday 15 Dec 2019
CITB NI will close on Wednesday 23 December 2020 and reopen on Monday 4 January 2021. We would like to wish you all a very safe and Happy Christmas.

Skillbuild NI - Watch our overview video

Thursday 17 Dec 2020
To help raise the profile of SkillBuild NI, and promote the benefits to new skills entrants CITB NI has produced a short video, the purpose is to provide an overview of a competitor's potential opportunities to represent their country and compete on the World stage with other like-minded individuals in their chosen skillset.

Advanced Digital Marketing & Social Media

Tuesday 14 Apr 2020
A workshop for Business Owners, Marketing Managers etc who use digital marketing on a regular basis and want to develop their skills further to generate increased leads/business opportunities.

ASPIRING CONSTRUCTION APPRENTICES GET READY TO CONNECT WITH CONSTRUCTION OPPORTUNITIES

Saturday 18 Jan 2020
At the end of last year CITB NI, with funding from the Department for the Economy’s Apprenticeship Challenge fund, launched a new scheme called Apprenticeship Connect (NI) - find, match, hire which aims to help match construction employers and prospective craft apprentices. Since then, the scheme worked with 25 companies and has identified over 40 opportunities which are now waiting to be matched with the right apprentices. If you are aged 16-24 yrs, and thinking about joining the construction industry, why not take the next step in your future by applying for an apprenticeship.

Legislative Changes Awareness Training

Thursday 18 Jun 2020
For those in the construction industry interested in the legislation and other legal aspects of construction this webinar provides a summary of the main recent changes.

Press Clippings for January 2021

Monday 03 Feb 2020
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during January 2021

Cyber Security & GDPR Awareness

Wednesday 06 May 2020
An overview of the measures needed to consistently maintain GDPR compliance as well as information on the current cyber threat landscape specific to the construction industry.

Consider a Career in Construction

Tuesday 23 Feb 2021
Did you see the DIY SOS programme based in NI? It showcased the NI construction industry at its best working together on a life changing project. Construction has a variety of careers available - listen to Mark Millar from the tv show to hear his story.

Health and Safety Resources to support the local construction industry

Tuesday 23 Feb 2021
CITB NI are focused on driving investment in skills and training that a growing construction sector requires and offer key initiatives to help the industry train. There is a focus on Health and Safety resources to help support, help and guide the construction industry.

Building Information Modelling (BIM) for small construction companies

Sunday 22 Mar 2020
*** NEW DATE - Wed 31st March*****
BIM is a process for combining information and technology to create a digital representation of a project that integrates data from many different sources.

Occupational Work Supervision Qualification

Tuesday 09 Mar 2021
Providing the correct levels of supervision in the Construction and Built Environment (CBE) are critical to ensure that the correct levels of Health and Safety (H&S) are maintained, projects and programmes are delivered on time, to quality and cost overruns are avoided.

The Occupational Work Supervision (OWS) qualification, the first rung on the Supervisory and Management ladder, enables employees, with a background in construction and its allied trades and professions to demonstrate their initial competence in the area of supervision.

Press clippings from February 2021

Wednesday 10 Mar 2021
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during February 2021.

Notification for Training Providers March 2021

Monday 15 Mar 2021
CITB NI has revised the policy for evaluating the standard of training for employers to be eligible for CITB NI Grant Assistance.
 

CITB NI Easter Closure

Tuesday 31 Mar 2020
CITB NI will close on Friday 2nd April for the Easter break and reopen on Monday 12 April 2021.
From Monday 12 April the CITB NI phone lines will reopen 9am to 4pm – Mon to Thurs and 9am to 3pm on Fri

Introductory Digital Marketing & Social Media Webinar

Tuesday 31 Mar 2020
An interactive session on how to establish a digital marketing presence, use social media, SEO, email marketing and analytics.

Get Ahead and Complete Annual Return Now

Thursday 13 Aug 2020
The Annual Levy Return Form has been sent to all registered employers.  Deadline is 5pm 31 August 2021. Get ahead and complete online now.

CITB NI Phone lines

Tuesday 14 Apr 2020
The CITB NI office phones are now operational and will be available 9am to 4pm – Monday to Thursday and 9am to 3pm on Friday. The phone lines will close daily between 1pm-2pm.

CITB NI SUPPORTS NORTHERN IRELAND APPRENTICESHIP WEEK 2021

Monday 26 Apr 2021
As part of Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week (26 - 30 April) #NIAW2021, CITB NI will be running and taking part in a range of virtual activities aimed at encouraging the construction industry to support and develop more opportunities for apprentices, as well as guiding apprentices to the opportunities available in the sector.

Heritage Angel Awards Northern Ireland 2021 is Declared Open for Applications and Nominations.

Thursday 29 Apr 2021
Following last year’s sabbatical, the fourth Heritage Angel Awards NI was launched this week. The virtual event hosted by Wendy Austin featured special guests singer/songwriters Brigid O’Neill, Anthony Toner and poet Maria McManus who performed bespoke pieces from previous Angel Award ceremonies based on the built heritage and history of Belfast, Derry~Londonderry and Armagh. 

Press Clippings for March/April 2021

Monday 10 May 2021
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during March and April 2021.

CITB NI teams up with local health charity to prioritise staff health during the pandemic

Monday 10 May 2021
Construction Industry Training Board NI (CITB NI), had some serious concerns about the toll that the pandemic has taken on the physical and mental health of its employees.

Determined to make a positive change and to put staff health first, CITB NI signed up to Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke’s Work Well Live Well programme.

Building Information Modelling (BIM) for small construction companies

Tuesday 19 May 2020
BIM is a process for combining informatoin & technology to create a digital representation of a project that integrates data from many different sources.

New Roofing Apprenticeship 2021

Monday 23 Aug 2021
Are you or your staff interested in a career in Roofing? CITB NI and the Department for the Economy (DfE), are delivering a fully funded apprenticeship for new and existing employees in the roofing industry.

Level 4 NVQ Diploma in Site Supervisor Highway Maintenance & Repair

Wednesday 23 Jun 2021
Are you looking to develop your staff or yourself as Highway Maintenance & Repair Supervisor whilst gaining a NVQ Level 4 at the same time.

This programme could be for you

Steady recovery predicted for the NI Construction Industry

Tuesday 09 Jun 2020
Construction output growth in Northern Ireland is projected to average 3.9% a year over the 2021 to 2025 period.
 
The UK construction industry has bounced back quicker than expected from the Covid-19 pandemic and the industry will reach 2019 levels of output in 2022. By 2025, the industry will need to recruit an additional 217,000 new workers just to meet demand. That’s the forecast of the Construction Skills Network (CSN) 2021-25, published by CITB today.
 

CITB NI ENCOURAGES CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYERS TO THINK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING

Monday 19 Jul 2021
CITB NI has launched a series of mental health and wellbeing training courses aimed at helping employers to think about how they can create work environments that minimise stress and support employees who are struggling.

Press clippings from May 2021

Tuesday 14 Apr 2020
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during May 2021.

Sad news

Wednesday 24 Jun 2020
It is with great sadness that we announce today the death of our colleague Ivor Skelton.  Ivor was a dedicated employee of CITB NI for many years where he worked tirelessly in Standards and Qualifications and in Plant training and assessment.  Our thoughts are with his wife Sharon, children Lucy and Calum and the extended Skelton family.
 

Adopt A School - Get Involved

Thursday 01 Jul 2021
We launched our Adopt A School Scheme earlier this year but due to school closures and COVID restrictions we have not been able to develop the partnerships between school and industry.
The next phase of the ‘Adopt A School’ Scheme will start in September 2021, we have 25 schools signed up so far but need more construction employers to commit to be able to proceed.

Short Course Duration H&S – FREE Online Zoom Training

Friday 13 Aug 2021
The MTU is still not fully operational due to COVID-19 restrictions. However from Autumn 2021 we will be  offering  20 courses in an online zoom setting.

 

CITB NI BURSARY AWARD FOR BUILT ENVIRONMENT STUDENTS NOW OPEN

Tuesday 15 Sep 2020
The Construction Industry Training Board NI (CITB NI) built environment bursary award, aimed at encouraging school leavers to consider a career in construction and undertake a third level Built Environment related qualification, is now open for applications. 12 first year, full time students can apply for a £1000 bursary towards the cost of their training.

CITB NI promoting training and the benefits of being registered

Friday 13 Aug 2021
Training is so important within all sectors but particularly construction. Well-trained construction workers are safer, better skilled, work faster and make fewer mistakes. They are better motivated and are more efficient and effective.

We work with contractors, professional and trade bodies to support training initiatives and skills development for the overall benefit of the industry.

Press clippings for June & July 2021

Monday 10 Aug 2020
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during June & July 2021

CITB NI Board Appointments

Sunday 27 Sep 2020
Public Appointment Vacancy - Appointment of 10 new members to the Board of the Construction Industry Training Board Northern Ireland (CITB NI) - Closing date Friday 8 October 2021

Did you miss the Levy Return Deadline?

Wednesday 01 Sep 2021
If your 2021 Return was not received by the deadline of 5pm on 31 August 2021, Grants may not be paid in 2021/22 training year. You can appeal within 10 working days from 31 August 2021.  There must be extenuating circumstances before you can appeal - download here for information.

NEW Mental Health Training for the Construction Industry

Tuesday 08 Feb 2022

CITB NI has launched a the next series of mental health and wellbeing training courses aimed at helping employers to think about how they can create work environments that minimise stress and support employees who are struggling.

With over a third of construction workers reporting that they have experienced a condition in the past year, mental health is a significant and ongoing issue within the industry.




Online Health & Safety Courses Updated

Sunday 13 Jun 2021
CITB NI are delighted to continue to offer Short Course Health and Safety Training in an online format.
These training courses are CPD accredited, short, informative, and ideal for smaller construction companies, providing the most up to date information with minimum disruption

CISRS Partners with CITB NI to Offer Subsidised CPD Courses

Thursday 17 Sep 2020
The Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS) has funded subsidised CPD courses over Spring/Summer 2021. As a not-for-profit organisation CISRS is always keen to find ways of supporting the sector. Covid-19 has caused disruption and additional expense to operatives, employers and training centres alike, these subsidised courses are a gesture from CISRS to those who have worked hard to keep the industry going in the last year or so.
In conjunction with CISRS, CITB NI has also provided subsidized courses for CITB NI registered companies, in total 23 scaffolders attended the subsidised courses.

Northern Ireland employers or training providers – get involved!

Wednesday 29 Sep 2021
CITB GB is seeking Northern Ireland representatives to get involved in the review and draft of National Occupational Standards.
 

CITB NI £1.7m grant scheme to help support construction training

Sunday 04 Oct 2020
CITB NI has launched their £1.7m training grants scheme to help encourage the local construction industry to train.

The training grants scheme supports a wide range of training and qualifications for their employees working in Northern Ireland.

Construction Quality Control - Inspecting Skills (Concrete & Reinforcement

Tuesday 13 Oct 2020
This webinar will give you a greater understanding of the acceptance criteria for quality control inspections of concrete and reinforcement on your project.

CITB NI Upcoming Training Courses Jan & Feb 2024

Wednesday 13 Dec 2023
Please see the latest CITB NI  course programmes running in January & February 2024

Advanced Digital Marketing & Social Media for Construction Webinar

Wednesday 21 Oct 2020
Attendees will have the opportunity to develop their digital skills through this webinar building on their current digital marketing knowledge. New concepts will be explained clearly using examples throughout and attendees will have the opportunity to apply this knowledge to their own organisation.

Joiner/General Builder Wanted

Monday 26 Oct 2020
CITB NI are seeking a joiner/general builder (including external and internal painting) for approximately 8wks work.



Anyone interested should email a quote based on an inclusive daily rate to paul.adams@citbni.org.uk before 5pm on Tuesday 9 November 2021

New Built Environment Careers Video

Wednesday 03 Nov 2021
CITB NI has launched a brand new Built Environment Careers video to encourage a career in construction.
With varied and wide-ranging opportunities, a career in construction is challenging, exciting and rewarding. By choosing a career in construction you will open doors to joining specialist people all working together to build a strong, long lasting future. You will be choosing to join one of Northern Ireland’s largest industries which welcomes everyone from newcomers to people with some experience to career changers.  Whatever your talent you can be sure that there is a career in construction for you. Watch our video to find out more.

Emerging Technology Q&A

Tuesday 03 Nov 2020
Getting Tech Ready - the future of Construction

Your chance to hear how tech is changing the way we work.

Maximise your Corporate Tax Incentives

Wednesday 11 Nov 2020
This webinar will look at tax incentives relative to the construction industry which are often overlooked or underclaimed.

Indirect Tax - Recent Changes and What's Next

Tuesday 24 Nov 2020
An update on recent Indirect Tax developments, including Brexit and the Domestic Reverse Charge

Get involved in the Roofing Apprenticeship Programme

Monday 29 Nov 2021
Our Construction industry needs more qualified roofers? We need to attract and retain new talent to help fill the skills gap in the roofing sector.
 
Construction employers –Support the industry to ensure it is skilled and ready for future growth and opportunities.

Help refresh the National Occupational Standards for Project Controls

Thursday 09 Dec 2021
The Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB), are seeking the views of industry on the draft Functional Map and National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Project Controls to ensure they are current and fit-for-purpose.  In the first instance we would encourage employers to complete the short initial survey - click here.

Data Analytics & Automation in Construction

Friday 03 Dec 2021
How technology, automation and data analytics can support data-driven decision making

How to develop a Digital Communications Strategy

Thursday 17 Dec 2020
Find out about frameworks and tools to enable you to develop a strategy by collecting & analysing relevant and important data to your business.

CITB NI Christmas Closure

Thursday 17 Dec 2020
The offices at CITB NI will close on Friday 17th December 2021 and our staff will be working from home until Thursday 23rd December 2021. Our offices will reopen on Tuesday 4th January 2022. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
 

CITB NI Telephone Service 2022

Monday 04 Jan 2021
Due to Covid-19 CITB NI staff are being phased back into the office.  Phones will be open from 9am - 4pm Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and 9am to 3pm on Friday. 

Phones will be closed daily between 1pm and 2pm. There will be no phone access on Wednesdays.

Please contact us by email to your usual contacts or via the following general email addresses:
 
info@citbni.org.uk – General enquiries
grants@citbni.org.uk – Grant enquiries
levy@citbni.org.uk – Levy enquiries
accounts@citbni.org.uk - accounts queries
 

Mental Health in construction 3 minute Survey

Tuesday 11 Jan 2022
It is well known that the construction industry in Northern Ireland does not have a good record on supporting workers who have mental health issues.
This anonymous survey is designed to ascertain what provision is available to support workers' mental health in the industry, what gaps exist and what the industry would like to see provided for workers.
We trust you’ll feel contributing is a worthwhile 3 minutes of your time for the industry as a whole.
Thanks in advance for giving your feedback.

Take the survey.

GDPR & Cyber Security Awareness

Tuesday 19 Jan 2021
Exploring 'Cyber Security' to minimise the risk of your systems being compromised and data stolen

CITB NI ENCOURAGES CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TO HELP BUILD THE NEXT GENERATION

Thursday 27 Jan 2022
CITB NI has joined up with NI construction employers on a new scheme called ‘Adopt a School’, aimed at encouraging more young people to think about a career in construction

CITB NI Non Licensed Asbestos Operative Training - Thurs 18 Aug

Wednesday 06 Jul 2022
This course is for any non licensed contractor or construction worker likely to disturb and or carry out work on asbestos containing materials and who undertake any level of asbestos remediation

SEARCH FOR TOP APPRENTICES AS SKILLBUILD NI 2022 LAUNCHED AT NI APPRENTICESHIP WEEK

Wednesday 09 Feb 2022
CITB NI has launched its annual SkillBuild NI 2022 competition as part of Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week 2022. The competition is a search for the top performers within construction apprenticeship programmes from across Northern Ireland and a showcase of the wealth of talent, professionalism and brightest recruits throughout the industry

Could you be a CITB NI Board member?

Friday 21 Feb 2020
The Department for the Economy is seeking to recruit ten board members to the Construction Industry Training Board Northern Ireland (CITB NI).
 

SUMMIT AIMS TO BUILD A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION

Monday 07 Mar 2022
CITB NI, and the Women in Construction Network will host the 2nd Women in Construction NI Summit, Crowne Plaza Belfast, Wednesday 6th April  2022. The Summit will celebrate the success of women working in the construction industry through inspirational guest speakers as well as panel discussions addressing key issues, challenges and opportunities within the industry.

SIMULATED CONSTRUCTION SITE TO SUPPORT WITH INDUSTRY TRAINING

Tuesday 15 Mar 2022
CITB NI has announced the development of a brand new, free training facility at their Nutts Corner location called Simulated Construction Site.  The facility will support with real-life training as well as support the industry's needs for a skilled and competent workforce through pre apprenticeship programmes, apprenticeships, FE / HE construction courses and upskilling of the existing workforce.

CITB NI seeking to appoint a new Chair

Saturday 25 Apr 2020
 
Interested in leading change in the construction skills landscape?
 
Appointment of a Chair to the Board of the Construction Industry Training Board Northern Ireland (CITB NI)
 
Closing date for applications is 12 noon on 29 April 2022
 
There is one post. It is planned to make the appointment from 1 July 2022 for an initial three year term.

2022 Annual Levy Return Form

Monday 23 Aug 2021
The 2022 Annual Return has been sent to all CITB NI registered employers.   Deadline for receipt of the completed Return is 5pm on Wednesday 31 August 2022.  Don’t miss the deadline.  Complete the Return online NOW.

Easter Closure

Monday 13 Apr 2020
The offices of CITB NI will close on Friday 15th April and re open on Monday 25th April. Wishing you all a Happy Easter

The Future of Jobs & Skills in the UK Construction Market – survey request

Wednesday 13 Apr 2022
Research is being undertaken to review key issues and trends, develop a set of scenarios depicting possible futures focussing on the industry’s needs for training and skills.
The research project is focusing on all nations and regions so it is important that NI is represented in the findings.

Google Ads for the Construction Industry - Webinar

Wednesday 09 Jun 2021
This webinar will explain the format of Google Ads available for businesses that want to reach potential audiences and want people to re-engage.

Skillbuild NI Finals 4 May 2022

Tuesday 03 May 2022
CITB NI will host the Skillbuild NI National Finals on Wednesday 4 May 2022 at their Training Centre at Nutts Corner. Winners will have the opportunity to represent Northern Ireland in the Skillbuild UK and/or Skill M&E UK National Finals leading potentially to represent Team UK at WorldSkills. Following Covid protocols, this will be the first face to face Skillbuild NI finals since 2019 and competitors are looking forward to the event.


Download the full brochure with competitor and sponsor details





Press Clippings March/April 2022

Sunday 09 May 2021
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during March/April 2022.

INVESTMENT IN HERITAGE SKILLS UNLOCKS POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Wednesday 19 May 2021
The Construction Industry Training Board NI, working in partnership with the Department for Communities Historic Environment Division, has announced a new role which will not only preserve, develop, and deliver heritage skills supply and training in Northern Ireland but will seek to unlock the potential of developing jobs and employment in the construction sector.  It will also help raise awareness of our built heritage, the heritage skills required and promote the preservation and development of traditional crafts and skills.

Laying the Foundations to Mental Health Online Training Wed 24 Aug

Thursday 12 Aug 2021
This introduction to Mental Health will challenge the stigma associated with mental health and is open to all employers/employees in construction.

Press clippings from May 2022

Thursday 09 Jun 2022
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during May 2022.

Research Report reveals over 5,000 construction workers needed by 2026

Wednesday 15 Jun 2022
New figures from Construction Skills Network (CSN), Labour Market Intelligence Report for Northern Ireland forecasts a big rise in the demand for construction workers over the next five years.

Training in Partnership Qualification Success

Friday 24 Jun 2022
Ben McKnight, Jordan Hagan, Martin Lynch and Gregg McCrory received their NVQ Level 4 Construction Site Supervisor Highway Maintenance and Repair certificates at the 2022 CITB NI and CIOB Student Achievement Awards.  This training programme was supported by CITB NI’s Training in Partnership funding which helps the industry to develop, innovate and improve productivity through training initiatives. This work based qualification was designed to build a developmental programme that would provide formal recognised qualifications to improve both knowledge and performance, delivered by People 1st  and further supported by The Mineral Product Association NI (Ltd) and the Institute of Asphalt Technology. Also pictured are Barry Neilson, CITB NI, Roger Gillespie, CIOB, Peter Daly, People 1st and Gordon Best, MPANI.

CELEBRATING CONSTRUCTION SUCCESS AT THE CIOB & CITB NI STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Friday 01 Jul 2022
The Construction Industry Training Board NI (CITB NI) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) recently partnered on the CIOB & CITB NI Student Achievement Awards. The awards celebrate success of the achievements of local students in professional CIOB and NVQ exams throughout the recent training year.

CITB NI ENCOURAGES CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TO HELP BUILD THE NEXT GENERATION

Sunday 02 Oct 2022
CITB NI has been working with NI construction employers on its ‘Adopt a School’ scheme aimed at encouraging more young people to think about a career in construction.  The scheme will not only establish local partnerships between education and the industry but also help inspire the next generation to get involved in construction.

Press Clippings for June 2022

Sunday 18 Jul 2021
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during June 2022.

Press clippings July 22

Sunday 08 Aug 2021
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during July 22.

Important Information

Monday 23 Aug 2021
Due to the scheduled postal strike on Friday 26 & 31 August and Bank Holiday on Monday 29 August 2022 we advise you to complete your Annual Return Form online (www.citbni.org.uk) to avoid any unnecessary disruption with the postal service. If you wish to post your Form, please be mindful of these dates and ensure your form is posted in advance of the strike.

Build your Career - A Future in Construction

Monday 24 Oct 2022
 ‘Build your Career with a future in Construction’
 From amazing apprenticeship opportunities to third level education,
 ‘There are many routes to enter this rewarding sector’

CITB NI BURSARY FOR BUILT ENVIRONMENT STUDENTS NOW OPEN

Sunday 05 Sep 2021
The CITB NI bursary award aimed at encouraging school leavers to consider a career in construction and undertake a third level Built Environment related qualification is now open for applications.

Press Clippings for August 2022

Monday 20 Sep 2021
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during August 2022.

New Heritage Project Manager - Isabel McKernan

Monday 24 Oct 2022
Isabel McKernan has been appointed Heritage Project Manager with CITB NI.  The role is funded by the Department for Communities’ Covid Recovery Programme, administered by the Heritage Fund in Northern Ireland.

Construction Teachers Forum

Friday 28 Oct 2022
CITB NI has officially launched the Construction Teachers Forum as part of their ongoing Build Your Career – a future in construction programme for schools and students.  The forum will provide an opportunity for teachers of construction qualifications to get together to discuss best practice for training delivery, share ideas, resources and develop solutions that will enhance the teaching of construction qualifications in schools across NI.

Press Clippings for October 2022

Monday 14 Nov 2022
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during October 2022.

Google Ads for the Construction Industry Workshop

Monday 28 Nov 2022
This session will explain the range of Google Ad formats available for businesses that want to reach new potential customers and encourage interested people to re-engage with the business. This session will share live screen demos and walk through Google Ads campaign setup.

Traineeships

Wednesday 26 Jan 2022
Traineeships is an exciting new route for work and study for those preparing to enter employment.  Delivered by the six Regional Colleges of Further and Higher Education, construction employers will have the opportunity to work with Colleges in developing trainees’ job-specific skills aligned to construction and their business needs.  

Helping students to consider ‘Build Your Career’ a future in construction

Thursday 01 Dec 2022
Throughout 2022 the Construction Industry Training Board NI (CITB NI) has been working with post primary schools across Northern Ireland on their campaign Build Your Career – a future in construction, which aims to showcase the options and routes into the industry.


Northern Ireland Construction Students build a Bright future at WorldSkills UK National Finals

Monday 05 Dec 2022
14 local construction students recently represented local colleges, training providers and employers at WorldSkills UK Live competition, Edinburgh College. The competition awarded the national champion in their occupational skill. The team achieved 6 medals (2 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze) and 2 Highly Commended Awards meaning that Northern Ireland are ranked 2nd in the UK Regions, moving up from 4th last year.


Press Clippings for November 2022

Monday 12 Dec 2022
A summary of CITB NI news which apeared in the press during November 2022.

Press Clippings for December 2022

Monday 09 Jan 2023
A summary of CITB NI news whic happeared in the press during December 2022.

Construction demand remains high for new recruits in NI despite economic challenges

Wednesday 18 Jan 2023
New figures from Construction Skills Network (CSN), Labour Market Intelligence Report for Northern Ireland forecasts even with NI industry growth of 1.4%, which  lags slightly below the UK figure of 1.5%, an extra 4,450 construction workers is needed from 2023-2027. The report further adds that growth in repair and maintenance and ongoing skills shortages within the sector have contributed to the demand levels for new recruits over the next 5 years.

Public Appointments

Thursday 19 Jan 2023
Construction employers - your chance to get involved in the NI Skills Council.
Department for the Economy NI has launched a public appointments competition for a chair and eight members of the Northern Ireland Skills Council (NISC).

For more information and to apply visit:  https://bit.ly/3QO18G1

CITB NI LAUNCHES WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION PLANT OPERATOR PROGRAMME

Friday 27 Jan 2023
Construction Industry Training Board NI (CITB NI) has launched the Women in Construction plant operator programme.  This fully funded pilot training in partnership  programme provides 10 women with the opportunity to gain recognised plant operator qualifications for two types of plant machinery, a Construction Skills Register (CSR) card along with health and safety training.

We need your input to review National Occupational Standards (NOS)

Wednesday 01 Mar 2023
A number of National Occupational Standards (NOS) need to be reviewed to ensure they are current and fit for purpose. We would encourage the industry to get involved and have your say.

SEARCH FOR TOP APPRENTICES AS SKILLBUILD NI 2023 LAUNCHED AT NI APPRENTICESHIP WEEK

Wednesday 24 Feb 2021
CITB NI in partnership with North West Regional College (NWRC) has launched its annual SkillBuild NI 2023 competition during Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week (NIAW) 2023. The competition is a search for the top performers within construction apprenticeship programmes from across Northern Ireland and a showcase of the wealth of talent, professionalism, and the brightest recruits throughout the industry. The NI finals will be held at NWRC, Limavady Campus on 16th May 2023.

Tomorrows Talent Today Apprenticeship Careers Event at W5

Monday 13 Feb 2023
As part of Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week led by Department for the Economy, 6-10 Feb 2023 (#NIAW2023), CITB NI hosted a #BuildYourCareer interactive event at W5 supported by Cool FM and Belfast Met for Year 12-14 students

Google Ads for the Construction Industry

Tuesday 02 Mar 2021
A webinar on the range of Google Ads formats available for reaching new potential customers.

Consultations - Construction Employers Have Your Say

Sunday 28 Feb 2021
CITB NI are submitting a response on behalf of the NI construction industry on the Department for Economy Consultations for qualifications and higher education in further education.

We encourage construction employers to also have their say and we seek individual responses and comments on our summaries. The links to the two DfE web portals can be found in each summary paper
 

Stone & Lime Taster Day 23 March 2023

Sunday 07 Mar 2021
This course will offer an introduction to working with stone and lime mortar. You will have the opportunity to try your hand at stone carving, producing your own door number plaque to take home. You will also gain an introduction to lime mortars, before preparing mortar and using it for bedding wall masonry and pointing. All materials and lunch, tea and coffee will be provided. No experience necessary!

Construction Employers – are you aware that changes are on their way for the CSR card?

Monday 24 Jun 2024
From 31 December 2024 skilled workers and above will have to be registered on or have achieved an NVQ Level 2 qualification or higher based on their occupation to obtain a card that reflects their skill area or level for their card to be renewed. 
 
Be prepared, don’t wait until the deadline. Check out your options now. If you are registered with CITB NI, you may be entitled to claim a training grant.


 



Non-Licensed Asbestos Operative Training

Wednesday 26 Apr 2023
CITB NI Non-Licensed Asbestos Operative Training. Fri 19 May 9am-5pm. This course is for any non-licensed contractor or construction worker likely to disturb or work on asbestos-containing materials & undertake asbestos remediation. Click here to Book now

Annual Levy Return Form 2023

Tuesday 25 Aug 2020
CITB NI registered employers - you can now complete your Annual Levy Return Form online. Final deadline is 31 August 2023. Get Ahead and complete it today. If you need help completing the form - watch our video for hints and tips bit.ly/44Lr5MP and download our common errors flyer.

Press clippings from March 2023

Monday 17 Apr 2023
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during March 2023.

Retrofit of Traditional Buildings

Wednesday 26 Apr 2023
The deep energy retrofit of our building stock will be a major factor in lowering carbon emissions across the UK and Ireland; and is high on the UK government agenda to meet net zero targets by 2050. However, for the c.14% of NI’s housing stock built before 1919, there are a number of additional considerations to be made to ensure that measures are appropriate, fit for purpose and support occupant health.

This 1-day in-person course will give a deeper understanding of considerations and practical measures that can be introduced in traditional and historic buildings to improve energy efficiency and occupant comfort.

Northern Ireland Construction Students build a Bright future at SkillBuild NI Finals

Friday 19 May 2023
The Construction Industry Training Board NI (CITB NI) annual SkillBuild NI Finals 2023 competition, in partnership with North West Regional College (NWRC), has taken place at NWRC, Greystone Campus, Limavady.
 
The competition is a search for the top performers within construction apprenticeship programmes from across Northern Ireland and a showcase of the wealth of talent, professionalism, and the brightest recruits throughout the industry.
 

Updated SEO for the Construction Industry Webinar

Monday 05 Jun 2023
NEW Date: 29 June 2023 in Webinar Format
Search Engine Optimisation is about ensuring that when your potential customers research your industry, service, products or business online
they can find it easily. SEO is highly valuable to a business but many do not know where to start or how to boost their visibility in search engines. This in person session will explain the main components of Search Engine Optimisation so you understand the building blocks and then from here we will delver into how to improve your SEO over time.

Women in Construction Network Site Visit

Friday 02 Jun 2023
CITB NI hosted a Women in Construction Network Site Visit yesterday to the Ballykeel Wind Farm in Larne which is being constructed by Orsted and will be fully operational by June 2023. 
 
Orsted is the global-leader in offshore wind power, and supplies large-scale and cost-competitive offshore wind energy, onshore wind energy, and solar energy solutions.
 
William & Henry Alexander (CE) Ltd are Principal Contractor for the project, have been constructing Wind farms for over 30 years along with other Civil Engineering projects throughout the UK & Ireland.
 
The Ballykeel Wind Farm contract involved the construction of access tracks, culverts, turbine bases, turbine hardstands and substation to facilitate the erection of 7 Enercon wind turbines. When complete the site will provide 16MW of power to the grid.

CITB NI Chief Executive Barry Neilson receives prestigious Officer of the British Empire (OBE).

Monday 19 Jun 2023
Barry Neilson, Chief Executive at CITB NI has been awarded the Officer of the British Empire (OBE) in the Kings Birthday Honours List 2023 for services to the Economic Development.

CITB NI CONSTRUCTION BOOTCAMP ENCOURAGES STUDENTS TO ‘HAVE A GO’

Thursday 22 Jun 2023
CITB NI and School Employer Connections (SEC) recently partnered on a one-day face to face construction work experience Bootcamp at CITB NI, Nutts Corner Training Centre for over 70 Year 10 & 11 students from across Northern Ireland.
 

CELEBRATING CONSTRUCTION SUCCESS AT THE CIOB & CITB NI STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Tuesday 27 Jun 2023
CITB NI and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) recently partnered on the CIOB & CITB NI Student Achievement Awards. The awards celebrate success of the achievements of local students in professional CIOB and NVQ exams throughout the recent training year.

CITB NI ENCOURAGES CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TO HELP BUILD THE NEXT GENERATION

Tuesday 01 Aug 2023
CITB NI has been working with Northern Ireland construction employers on its ‘Adopt a School’ scheme, aimed at encouraging young people to consider a career in construction.  The scheme will not only establish local partnerships between education and the industry, but also help inspire the next generation to get involved and build a career in construction

Folk Museum Making Festival August 2023

Thursday 20 Jul 2023
CITB NI are delighted to be working with Ulster Folk Museum to deliver the first ever Folk Museum Making Festival on Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th August, where we’ll be honouring the traditional crafts and heritage skills that have shaped our history.

All Age Apprenticeships

Monday 11 Sep 2023
The Department for the Economy has formally announced the introduction of All Age Apprenticeships which provide opportunities for more people to embark on a career of their choice.

Heritage Training Events Autumn/Winter 2023

Monday 02 Oct 2023
CITB NI is delighted to release dates for Heritage Training Events in Autumn/Winter 2023.
These training sessions are open to all wishing to learn more about working with older
buildings and materials. These events are part of a wider three-year heritage project
supported by Covid Recovery Programme which is funded by the Department for
Communities and administered by the Heritage Fund in Northern Ireland.

CITB NI BURSARY FOR BUILT ENVIRONMENT STUDENTS NOW OPEN

Friday 01 Sep 2023
CITB NI student bursary award, aimed at encouraging school leavers to consider a career in construction and undertake a third level Built Environment qualification, is now open for applications.
12 first year full time students from across Northern Ireland can obtain £1000 towards the cost of their training.

Construction Employers - we need your feedback on CITB NI strategic direction .

Wednesday 23 Aug 2023
Construction Employers - we want to hear from you. Help CITB NI shape our strategic future.
CITB NI’s support to the industry has varied over time since its creation in 1964.Initially operating as a training centre for those entering the industry, providing pre-employment and pre-apprenticeship programmes and direct upskilling courses for the existing workforce. This model has changed somewhat to what is now known to be the current Levy & Grant system. The Training in Partnership strand was introduced 12 years ago to allow CITB NI to work in partnershipwith the sector, delivering training in partnership with industry bodies.

 

 

CITB NI - Giving you Value for your Levy

Monday 11 Sep 2023
Whilst costs are rising in other sectors of the economy CITB NI is retaining the NI levy rate for the 2023/2024 training year at 0.55% of the employers’ wages bill. This lower levy rate has been maintained for the last three years because more employers are contributing to the levy pool and therefore the costs and benefits can be spread more fairly across the industry.

Business Improvement Events 2023 - 2024

Wednesday 11 Oct 2023
Exciting news! CITB NI Business Improvement Events are back for 2023/2024. Join us for over 15 events led by industry experts, covering key topics like CSR Scheme Changes, Quality Control, Data Protection, Digital and social Media, and ISO4001 Environment Management Awareness. These events are short, informal, & easy to book. Sessions are a mix of face-to-face and webinar formats. Don't miss out! Book Now https://bit.ly/3sQ13Kb

Shaping the National Occupational Standards in Energy Efficiency Assessment and Advice

Monday 18 Sep 2023
II Aspire is delighted to announce that they have been appointed by Skills Development Scotland (SDS) to review the Energy Efficiency Assessment and Advice National Occupational Standards (NOS) for historic and traditional buildings, during 2023-24.

NOS describe what an employee needs to do and needs to know, to perform a work activity. They are subject to formal consultation and approval processes and are approved by UK Government regulators.

NOS are also a key component for many qualifications and apprenticeship frameworks.

Get Involved

Building Mental Health Alliance Events

Friday 22 Sep 2023
The Building Mental Health Alliance (BMHA) is a collaboration of construction organisations (federations, trade bodies, professional bodies, trade unions, and large contractors) in Northern Ireland who have come together to launch an initiative aimed at improving the mental health of all workers in the construction industry.
It is our firm belief that it is only through collaborative working that we can effect changes in our industry and as an influencing organisation/influencer in the sector we would welcome your support and input.

CISRS Subsidised CPD Course

Thursday 28 Sep 2023
The Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS) will once again, with the support of a group of their accredited training centres, be offering a number of subsidised CPD courses across the UK in the coming months. The next subsidised course in NI will be held on Mon 4 & Tues 5 December at CITB NI at a cost of £50. Book Now: email scaffolding@citbni.org.uk

Quality Control - Inspecting Skills (Concrete & Reinforcement)

Monday 02 Oct 2023
By the end of this course the delegates will have a greater understanding of the acceptance criteria for quality control inspections of concrete and reinforcement on their project. They will be able to refer to information widely available from manufacturers to ensure that the products used, and placement methods meet the specification requirements.

CITB NI GRANT SCHEME SUPPORTS 1000 NI CONSTRUCTION APPRENTICES

Sunday 04 Dec 2022
Construction Industry Training Board NI has achieved a milestone through its Apprenticeship Grant scheme.  Since it launched in 2017, the scheme has helped to recruit and support 1000 apprentices into the NI construction industry.


Women in Construction Network Site Visit - Grand Central Station Belfast

Friday 17 Nov 2023
25 members of the Women in Construction Network attended an informative and interactive site visit to the Belfast Grand Central Station Project hosted by Tara Begley, Site Supervisor for ARUP.
 
The Belfast Grand Central Station project will deliver a modern, world-class integrated transport hub to enhance local and international connectivity with bus, coach and rail links across Northern Ireland and beyond.

SkillBuild Finalists from Northern Ireland On Their Way to Compete

Monday 20 Nov 2023
After more than 1,000 registrations and 17 regional heats, 16 top construction trainees from across Northern Ireland have been named as competitors at the SkillBuild National Final 2023 and are on their way to the finals.

Advanced Digital & Social Media Marketing

Tuesday 21 Nov 2023
For those using digital marketing on a weekly or daily basis and want to develop their skills further so they can generate increased leads and business opportunities. 

Timber Damage & Decay in Older Buildings Webinar

Wednesday 22 Nov 2023
In this online talk, independent remedial consultant Lawrence McCleery will outline some of the common issues and their causes affecting timber in older buildings, from fungal decay to infestation, before discussing diagnosis and appropriate treatments. The talk will last approximately 45mins, with an opportunity to ask questions in a 15min Q&A.

Heritage Training Spring/Summer Programme 2024 Launched

Wednesday 21 Feb 2024
CITB NI has launched the Spring/Summer heritage training events, to encourage training and development within the heritage sector and help address skills shortages within the built heritage sector in Northern Ireland.
 
The training courses are reflective of the current skills shortage in traditional skills areas and includes Heritage Joinery, Stonemasonry, Stained Glass and Stone Carving workshops.

Success for Local Construction Students at the SkillBuild National Final

Monday 04 Dec 2023
16 local construction students recently represented local colleges, training providers and employers at the SkillBuild National Final 2023 achieving 6 medals (3 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze) and 4 highly commended awards in their occupational skill.

CITB NI Boosts Loughshore's Construction Training Success

Friday 08 Dec 2023
In the 2021-22 academic year, CITB NI played a central role in supporting the Loughshore Educational Resource Centre. Facing challenges in securing a suitable training facility for their Occuapational Studies students, the school turned to CITB NI  for assistance. Using CITB NI's training facilities, the students engaged in practical training sessions in areas such as brickwork, landscaping and paving.

Press Clippings for November 2023

Monday 11 Dec 2023
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during November 2023.

2-Day Retrofit Course: Level 3 Award Energy Efficiency for Older Buildings

Thursday 11 Jan 2024
CITB NI are pleased to offer a subsidised 2-day retrofit course resulting in a Level 3 Award in Energy Efficiency for Older & Traditional Buildings.

INNOVATIVE TRAINING PROGRAMME AIMS TO ‘SKILL UP’ UTILITIES SECTOR

Monday 18 Dec 2023
CITB NI in partnership with  Department for the Economy (DfE),  NIE Networks and Kier have announced the  Joint Utilities Entry Level Programme.  An innovative training programme aimed at providing entry level training to the utilities sector, which will support the sector to develop the workforce required to deliver the infrastructure to drive a net zero economy.

Your Feedback Our Follow Up

Tuesday 02 Jan 2024
Your feedback: Our Follow Up, an overview summary of what CITB NI has been doing for the local construction industry. We will continue to support the industry's training and skills needs into this new year and throughout 2024.

Watch Now

Press Clippings from December 2023

Tuesday 09 Jan 2024
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during December 2023.

UPSKILL THIS NEW YEAR WITH A CITB NI RETROFIT TRAINING PROGRAMME

Friday 12 Jan 2024
CITB NI has announced ‘The Older Buildings for a Greener Future’ project, a new retrofit training programme aimed at boosting knowledge and awareness of appropriate maintenance, repair & retrofit of older buildings supported by Department for Communities Historic Environment Fund. The project will run Jan – March 2024, and is part of CITB NI’s ongoing support to the construction industry by providing upskilling opportunities to construction professionals.
 

ISO14001: Environmental Management Awareness

Monday 01 Jan 2024
Gain an understanding of the requirements of the ISO series of standards and, in particular, ISO 14001

WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION SUMMIT PREPARES FOR REDEFINING FOUNDATIONS

Wednesday 21 Feb 2024
CITB NI, and the Women in Construction Network will host the 3rd Women in Construction Summit, on Wednesday 13 March 2024 at Crowne Plaza Hotel. With a focus on ‘Redefining Foundations’, the summit will honour women whilst exploring and challenging business foundations within the NI construction industry.
 

Press Clippings for January 2024

Sunday 12 Feb 2023
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during January 2024.

CITB NI Upcoming Training Courses March & April 2025

Wednesday 05 Feb 2025
Please see the latest CITB NI training programmes running March & April 2025

Click on the image below for the main programme.

Press clippings for February 2024

Monday 11 Mar 2024
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during February 2024.

Registered Employers: Important Dates for your Calendar

Wednesday 27 Mar 2024
All construction industry employers are required by law to register with CITB NI and to complete and return the Annual Return Form. The Annual Levy Return Form will be posted to every registered employer by 8th April 2024.
 
Look out for the form arriving and complete and return as soon as possible and before 4pm on 30 August 2024. 
 

NI Economy Minister Visits CITB NI

Wednesday 20 Mar 2024
Department for Economy Minister NI Minister Conor Murphy has met with CITB NI Chair Noel Brady and Chief Executive Barry Neilson OBE alongside members of the Executive Management Team to discuss skills and training needs within the local construction industry and how the construction sector is driver for growth, innovation, and job creation within the local economy.
 

All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme launched

Wednesday 22 Mar 2023
Applications are now Open for the All Ireland Heritage Skills Programme, a collaboration between The Kings Foundation, The Heritage Council and Department for Communities' Historic Environment Division (HED).

Women in Construction Summit 2024

Wednesday 27 Mar 2024
CITB NI hosted the 3rd Women in Construction Summit on 13 March with 160 Attendees and 20 Speakers on the stage. The aim of the Summit was to inspire continued growth & development, as well as challenge existing foundations to allow this to happen focusing on key topics such as Sustainability, Mentoring, Equality and Diversity.

 

ISO 50001 Energy Management System Awareness

Wednesday 27 Mar 2024
Gain an understanding of the ISO series of requirements and how to apply them to your business.

Concrete Handling Workshop for Construction Site Supervisors

Monday 17 Jun 2024
Supported by CITB NI and in partnership with MPA NI and Concrete Society, this free course is aimed at upskilling the construction workforce in concrete practice and handling.

NOS Reviews on Plastering Occupations

Monday 29 Apr 2024
Construction Employers— CITB GB are running NOS reviews on Plastering Occupations and want to hear from employers in NI. Join the conversation on 13 or 17 May 2024 via teams and share your thoughts! Register your interest here

SkillBuild NI Regional Competition 2024

Tuesday 30 Apr 2024
The SkillBuild NI Regional Competition will take place on Tuesday 21 May 2024 at South West College Technology and Skills Centre, Killyhevlin, Enniskillen. The annual competition is a search for the top performers within construction apprenticeship programmes from across NI and a showcase of the wealth of talent, professionalism and the brightest recruits throughout the industry.


CSN Report reveals NI Construction Sector set for Growth with 5,200 New Workers Needed

Friday 31 May 2024
New figures from Construction Skills Network (CSN), Labour Market Intelligence Report for Northern Ireland forecasts the volume of NI construction work will grow by an annual average rate of 2.8%. Figures also revealed that the additional recruitment requirement (ARR) in NI is 1.6%, slightly lower than the UK value of 1.9% meaning, an extra 5,200 construction workers will be needed from 2024-2028.

SkillBuild NI Regional Competition 2024

Saturday 20 May 2023
Download the SkillBuild NI Regional Competition Online Brochure for information on the competition. Click here or on the image below for more details.

Northern Ireland Construction Students build a Bright future at SkillBuild NI Regional Competition

Thursday 23 May 2024
The Construction Industry Training Board NI (CITB NI) annual SkillBuild NI Regional Competition 2024 in partnership with CITB (GB) and South West College, has taken place at the Technology and Skills Centre, Killyhevlin, Enniskillen.

INNOVATIVE TRAINING PROGRAMME SKILLS UP UTILITIES SECTOR

Thursday 30 May 2024
CITB NI in partnership with the Department for the Economy (DfE), NIE Networks and Kier has completed the first Joint Utilities Entry Level Training Programme. This innovative programme provided training for participants from the utilities sector, which is a key part of building the workforce needed for a net zero economy

CITB NI: Keeping Mentoring top of Women in Construction Agenda

Friday 31 May 2024
CITB NI is a corporate member of Women in Business NI (WIB NI) which provides access to the WIB NI mentoring scheme for members of the CITB NI Women in Construction Network. Since 2020 17 Women in Construction members from companies including Farrans, Graham, Heron Bros and Adman have undertaken the Mentoring programme learning fabulous skills for both personal and professional development. The mentees have come from a range of roles within construction including civil engineering, professional services and health and safety and the programme is relevant to all.

Press Clippings from May 2024

Sunday 04 Jun 2023
A selection of news articles which appeared in the press during the month of May.

CITB NI Supporting WOMEN'S TEC #NotJustForBoys Programme

Thursday 06 Jun 2024
CITB NI through our Training in Partnership Funding supports Women’s Tec #NotJustForBoys Programme which aims to challenge misconceptions and encourage females to consider opportunities in sectors that offer wider flexibility and career choices. CITB NI were delighted to support the recent #NotJustForBoys taster day with P7 pupils from St Patrick’s Primary School Belfast who got the chance to get hands on with taster sessions in drills, saws, bricklaying & mechanics. It was a fantastic opportunity to work together in partnership to help to inspire young females consider a future in construction.

Making Festival 2024

Monday 17 Jun 2024
CITB NI are working in partnership with the Ulster Folk Museum for the Making Festival 2024 on 17 & 18 August  2024 to honour traditional crafts and heritage skills close to home. For more information and to book tickets for this event follow the link https://bit.ly/3XJugUz We look forward to seeing you there #heritageskills #makingfestival

Careers Portal - Your Views Matter

Monday 17 Jun 2024
Overview - The Department for the Economy (DfE) is planning to develop a new online Careers Portal to provide citizens with a single digital starting point for Careers related information in Northern Ireland.
Why your views matter
To make any new portal as impactful as possible, we are seeking input from potential users about what are the most important factors for us to consider as part of the development process.
The survey consists of 7 questions and should take around 5 minutes to complete.Careers Portal - NI Direct - Citizen Space

Joint Utilities Entry Programme - Video Overview

Wednesday 19 Jun 2024
CITB NI, in partnership with the Department for the Economy (DfE), NIE Networks, and Kier, has successfully completed the inaugural Joint Utilities Entry Level Training Programme. This pioneering initiative offered specialised training for participants in the utilities sector, crucial for developing the workforce needed for a net zero economy.

Undergraduate Students Receive CSR Health & Safety Training pre placement

Monday 24 Jun 2024
CITB NI, through Training in Partnership Funding are supporting Ulster University undergraduates from a series of Built Environment Courses in facilitating CSR Health Safety Awareness Training. This will ensure they have the appropriate knowledge and awareness and achieve their CSR Health & Safety Trained card before undertaking their industrial placement with construction employers.

Press Clippings from July 2024

Wednesday 07 Aug 2024
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during July 2024.

Verify your Email for the New IT System

Wednesday 16 Oct 2024
Attention all employers. CITB NI are launching a new IT system designed to improve your experience with us. This new system will store your data securely, be faster and easier for you to use. It will also give you all the relevant information you need on your levy, grants and training at the touch of a button. The transition will take place over the next 3 months and CITB NI are committed to making this process as smooth as possible for you.

CITB NI BURSARY FOR BUILT ENVIRONMENT STUDENTS NOW OPEN

Tuesday 13 Aug 2024
CITB NI student bursary award, aimed at encouraging school leavers to consider a career in construction and undertake a third level Built Environment qualification, is now open for applications.
12 first year full time students from across Northern Ireland can obtain £1000 towards the cost of their training.

CSR Scheme Changes

Tuesday 20 Aug 2024
An overview of the changes to the Construction Skills Register. This will include information on why the changes are being made and guidance for employers and employees. The will also an overview of the current mutual recognition agreements in place with card schemes in other jurisdictions.

Levy Return 2024

Wednesday 20 Sep 2023
If your 2024 Return was not received by the deadline of 4pm on 30 August 2024, Grants may not be paid in 2024/25 training year. You can appeal within 10 working days from 30 August 2024. 

Programme for Government Consultation

Sunday 01 Sep 2024
Help shape the Programme for Government
An eight-week public consultation began on 9 September 2024 and will end on 4 November 2024. Find out more and Have your say https://bit.ly/4gmnsTA

QUALIFICATION WILL HELP CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY SKILL UP HERITAGE CRAFTS FOR THE FUTURE

Monday 16 Sep 2024
CITB NI, as part of an ongoing heritage project supported by the Covid Recovery Employment and Skills Initiative for Heritage funded by the Department for Communities with further support from Department for Economy and administered by the Heritage Fund, has announced details of a subsidised assessment programme to support 15 candidates to achieve an NVQ Level 3 in various Heritage Skills Occupations.

Celebrating Success with CIOB Award

Wednesday 20 Sep 2023
Congratulations to Stephen Lambe from McQuillan Companies who has achieved the Best Overall Performance Award for his outstanding results in the Chartered Membership Programme. Stephen undertook the programme through Training LMS.

Strengthening Skills: CITB NI Releases New Standards for Plant Operator Training

Monday 30 Sep 2024
CITB NI has launched the publication of a new standard for plant operator training, supervision, and maintenance. As part of its ongoing commitment to raise the skill levels and professionalism within the local construction industry, CITB NI has developed this standard, the first of its kind, to establish clear guidelines for training providers and industry professionals.

CITB NI CELEBRATES 60 YEARS PROVIDING INDUSTRY SKLLS AND TRAINING

Tuesday 01 Oct 2024
CITB NI is celebrating its 60th  anniversary. Since 1964 the organisation has been at the forefront of identifying the skills and training needs for Northern Ireland's construction industry and shaping the sector's growth and development, something which the organisation looks set to continue in the years ahead.

General ISO Awareness Workshop

Wednesday 16 Oct 2024
This session will provide delegates with an understanding of the requirements and structure of ISO standards. It will help those working with or responsible for ISO systems and certifications to get a better grasp of the standards and how to manage systems

NVQ Level 3 Heritage Skills Applications Now Open

Wednesday 25 Oct 2023
CITB NI is offering subsidised NVQ Level 3 in Heritage Skills for 15 candidates! Applications are NOW OPEN – don’t miss out! Deadline: Friday, 6th Dec 2024. ⏳ First come, first served – secure your spot today! 👉 Apply Now: https://bit.ly/48indFu HED-web-.png

Success for Local Construction Students at the SkillBuild National Final

Monday 18 Nov 2024
14 local construction students recently represented local colleges, training providers and employers at the SkillBuild National Final 2024, achieving 5 medals (1 Gold, 1 Silver, 3 Bronze) in bricklaying, carpentry, dry lining and joinery.

Heritage Training Programme Spring Summer 2025

Monday 02 Dec 2024
Our Heritage Training Programme continues into 2025 with new topics and dates added for the Spring & Summer months. Key topics include Stone Carving, Lime Pointing, Stained Glass, Blacksmithing and more. Click on the image below to find out more or click here.

Careers Advisers visit Build Your Career W5 Event

Monday 09 Dec 2024
Recently CITB NI partnered with W5, with support from Cool FM, to talk to Year 10 students about the construction industry as well as the range of job options and qualifications required. School students heard about construction careers, some interesting facts and had the opportunity to try out construction activities.

Murphy hails local WorldSkills medal winners

Tuesday 10 Dec 2024
Economy Minister Conor Murphy has congratulated local vocational skills students who have once again showcased their abilities on the world stage.
Five local students competed as part of Team UK in the global WorldSkills Lyon 2024 competition in September 2024 including 2 representing construction and the built environment.

CITB NI Supports Trainees Through SkillBuild NI Regional Competition Initiatives

Tuesday 17 Dec 2024
As part of the SkillBuild NI Regional Competition, CITB NI actively collaborates with private training providers to support trainees participating in skills competitions. Following the 2024 SkillBuild NI Regional Competition held at South West College, Rutledge, a leading recruitment and training provider, approached CITB NI seeking assistance to improve their trainees' understanding of skills competition training. 

SKILLS AND STORIES HERITAGE WORKSHOPS AT LISSAN HOUSE A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD SKILLS FOR THE

Monday 05 Feb 2024
CITB NI in partnership with Ulster Architectural Heritage (UAH), has announced Skills & Stories at Lissan House, Cookstown on Thursday 13th- Saturday 15th February 2025. The event, which is supported by the Department for Communities Historic Environment Fund, invites students (15-17 yrs), Built Environment students and the general public to take part in three days of hands-on heritage workshops. Participants will have a unique opportunity to gain valuable heritage skills for future careers and engage with stories of Lissan House and its previous inhabitants.

CITB NI support Womens Tec at recent Girls in Construction Event

Wednesday 18 Dec 2024
CITB NI were delighted to support Women’s Tec on their Girls in Construction Day in Newry as part of #NotJustForBoys project.  There was lots of enthusiasm in the room for hands on activities that included tiling, introduction to power tools and hanging shelves. Thanks to the Women’s Tec team for hosting and the schools for participating in order to help promote diversity in construction and insight into some of the skills involved.

CITB NI: Training in Partnership initiatives to support the justice system

Friday 03 Jan 2025
CITB NI’s Training in Partnership funding is intended to help the industry develop, innovate recruit and improve employee productivity through training.
CITB NI have been working in partnership with NIACRO  (a voluntary organisation which has been working for 50 years to reduce crime and its impact on people and communities) by funding construction related training since Aug 2020 through the ESF funded Working Well training programme which supported  those people with a criminal record, and/or a conviction to prepare them for a purposeful role that supports the local economy, giving a sense of achievement for the individual and reducing the chance of reoffending.

CITB NI supports Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week 2025

Saturday 03 Feb 2024
CITB NI is proud to support Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week 2025 (NIAW2025), taking place from 3–7 February 2025. As part of the celebration, we are hosting our ‘Build Your Career: Apprenticeships Getting It Right For You’ event on 6 February at W5, with media partner Cool FM. The event will welcome over 160 pupils from years 12–14 across seven schools, along with representatives from more than 18 construction employers.

Care to Conserve: Caring for Historic Buildings Conference 5 March 2025

Tuesday 04 Feb 2025
Join Foyle Civic Trust in partnership with CITB NI for a 1-day conference exploring approaches to building conservation. Get insights into how to care for historic buildings, including maintenance, repair and retrofit. Speakers include representatives from the National Trust, Ulster Architectural Heritage, Department for Communities Historic Environment Division and McCollum Conservation. There will also be the opportunity to see heritage skills in action.

All Ireland Heritage Skills Programme

Monday 17 Feb 2025
The All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme is a full-time, 12-month course which gives practical experience in heritage building skills and the opportunity to work towards a Level 3 NVQ in Heritage Skills.  The programme starts in June 2025 and will be delivered across different locations in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. 

NI Apprenticeship Statistics 2024

Monday 24 Feb 2025
Latest Research: Traineeships, Apprenticeships & Higher-Level Apprenticeships in Northern Ireland are on the rise! Over recent years, participation across all occupational apprenticeships has steadily grown, thanks to initiatives like all-age apprenticeships. 🙌 Find out more https://bit.ly/4joBxl1

CITB NI Annual Levy Return Form

Monday 07 Apr 2025
Your 2025 Annual Return form is now available to all employers to complete online at www.citbni.org.uk before 4pm on 29 August 2025. Don’t miss the deadline.  Complete the Return online NOW.
Levy and Grant forms will not be printed but are available to download from our website or you can preferably claim online. Grants may not be paid over the 2025/26 training year if you miss the Levy Return deadline.

Press Clippings for March 2025

Monday 07 Apr 2025
A summary of CITB NI news which appeared in the press during the month of March 2025

Exploring AI in Marketing Tools for the Construction Industry

Tuesday 08 Apr 2025
Unveiling cutting-edge strategies for leveraging AI to elevate your firm's marketing efforts