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

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.

However a lot has also happened on a wider political scale and with Brexit and the apprenticeship levy, things are changing that will impact on the future of the local construction industry, leading to more cautious predictions for the economic outlook.

Our January 2017 forecast for the construction industry in Northern Ireland was for an annual average grow of 1.6% over the five years to 2021 and an average annual recruitment requirement of 710.
 
With the ongoing changing situation future forecasts may not be as buoyant as previously forecast. However, the industry will still be facing potential skills shortages in some occupations such as bricklayers and roofers. CITB NI will continue to work alongside the industry to ensure that sufficient numbers of people are trained to meet the demand and that those already working in the industry have the right skills and qualifications to deliver upcoming construction projects.
 
Recent surveys completed by CITB NI show that the NI construction industry still wants to train and 70% of all NI employers had funded or arranged training for staff in the last 12 months. [1] This is reassuring as skills are continually needed.  CITB NI is working with the sector to improve their capabilities in strategic planning and performance improvement at senior management level and is also working to develop a qualified workforce at craft level where almost 1800 existing employees have achieved a free NVQ Level 2 qualification.

The local construction industry has strongly shown their support for CITB NI as an organisation as 73% of respondents thought that both training within the industry and progress towards a qualified workforce would both worsen if there was no statutory body such as CITB NI.[2]  
 
Skills are a key driver of growth, performance and prosperity. CITB NI aim is to develop a qualified and competent workforce within the NI construction industry and to help encourage and support training to ensure the right skills in the right place at the right time.  
 
The CITB NI training grant scheme offers support for a wide range of training and qualifications from apprentices through to the existing workforce including management and administration and employers shown they value the scheme with 72% believing that it should continue.[3]
 
CITB NI also provides direct training to the industry via the Mobile Training Unit, Virtual Environment Training – VET360, Scaffolding and Business Improvement Seminars to name a few.

CITB NI will continue to focus on providing the support and services needed to ensure local businesses have the right skills. Through a mix of Grant funding and Direct Training Interventions CITB NI will help develop the workforce to meet client needs and grow their business.
 
For further information on what we can do to help you and your construction training log on www.citbni.org.uk, like us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/CITBNorthernIreland and follow the discussion on Twitter @CITBNI and LinkedIn
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