Plans have been announced to strengthen the Construction Industry Training Board's (CITB) Levy Order Consensus process.

The organisation will treble the number of industry employers which are surveyed as part of the scheme, increasing from 1,900 to 6,000 in 2017.

The change will help ensure the CITB gathers all opinions on a future Levy Order.

Other alterations will include:

• Creating an independent agency to provide external advice on methodology, mechanisms and best practice for the Consensus process

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• Asking Federations to provide greater detail on how they engage and consult with their members on Consensus

• Sharing greater details on the Consensus process and results to ensure that it is more widely understood and transparent to the whole industry.

Stephen Radley, Director of Policy at CITB, said it was "critical" the organisation "have the confidence and support" from the rest of the industry in its role and purpose.

"Consensus is the benchmark of that confidence and so we must ensure we reach as many employers as possible and the outcome is truly representative of our sector," he said.

"As part of our ongoing reform, we have listened to what industry has told us and are reflecting the changing nature of construction.

"Therefore we are sharpening up this consultation process. We are casting our net further to reach more levy payers and put transparency and accountability firmly at the heart of the process."

(LM/MH)