The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have reaffirmed their Partnership Agreement to support growth, jobs and skills across the construction industry.

At a Round Table event attended by Employment Minister Esther McVey MP and held in the CITB's London office, CITB and DWP reasserted their commitment to the agreement, which both organisations signed last year.

The Partnership Agreement commits CITB and the DWP to work together to support future growth in the construction industry. Both parties agreed six objectives to achieve this, including active engagement at all levels across the organisations, sharing labour market intelligence, and signposting arrangements so businesses and individuals know how to access support for employment and skills

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Adrian Belton, Chief Executive of CITB, said: "Developing, attracting and maintaining a highly skilled workforce is essential to increase the productivity of the construction industry.

"CITB and DWP have been working collaboratively across Great Britain for many years and the Partnership Agreement aims to ensure that further opportunities to enhance the support available at all levels are identified, explored and delivered as effectively as possible. This includes support for construction employers, their employees and potential entrants into the industry.

"It was no surprise to me to learn we were one of the first organisations to sign a Partnership Agreement with DWP – this gives CITB a platform for us to enjoy closer working arrangements with DWP. We have made good progress over the first year. I would like to see us now developing further collaborative working opportunities to enhance support for construction employers and to continue to support growth in the sector."