ECITB helps equip the construction industry with skilled workers
(09/06/2008)

The Construction industry currently generates £16 billion turnover, equating to 1.5 per cent of the UK’s GDP, and a total of £18.8 million was invested by the ECITB last year in skills development and training programmes for engineering construction employers.

The Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB), an organisation dedicated to attracting, training and retaining employees in engineering construction has hailed 2007 as its most successful year to-date.

Highlights of its success in 2007 included:
· a record 614 new apprentices registered with 158 companies (a 300 per cent increase on 2006)
· TECSkills (Training in Engineering Construction Skills) attracted 544 new learners in 24 companies
· 2,200 employees signed up to over 70 purpose designed professional courses, known as Technical Supervisory and Management Programmes or (TS&MP), teaching a range of industry relevant skills
· over 600 people supported by ECITB Regional Discretionary Grants in 63 companies across the regions
· the ‘Construct your life, Engineer your Future’ roadshow was a huge success reaching 30,000 schoolchildren in England, Scotland and Wales
· Engagement with employers rose by 30 per cent and satisfaction improved by 11 per cent
· 2,000 ACE cards awarded and 50,000 learners achieved the ECITB CCNSG Safety Passport
· Network of centres approved to award ECITB qualifications has increased to 62 with 16 trained in the use of the paperless portfolio
· launch of the 14-19 Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment

Tony Featherstone, ECITB Operations Director, said: “These figures demonstrate the substantial progress the ECITB is making in equipping the industry with the necessary number of highly skilled workers for the long-term.

“Significantly, engagement with employers is up 30 per cent which demonstrates the increasing awareness among companies and individuals about the benefits the ECITB offer. More technical, supervisory and management staff than ever before are taking advantage of our training programmes, workshops and courses which is something we are looking to expand on this year.

“With the support of industry stakeholders we now need to maintain and improve investment levels in order to meet predicted levels of demand. Therefore during 2008 the ECITB will create a skills plan for 2009 onwards, setting out the actions required and resources needed from Government, employers, clients, trades unions and the ECITB to achieve the industry goal of securing engineering construction skills for the future.”