Union Unite has hit out at plans by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) to cut back on training delivery and outsource all back office operations.

The organisation has unveiled its 'Vision 2020: The Future CITB' strategy, which aims to modernise and restructure the skills body in response to industry calls for reform, the Government's ITB Review and the triennial Consensus process.

The document sets out a three-year strategy to turn CITB into a "simpler, more streamlined" organisation. Plans include to direct delivery of training through the National Construction College and cease services such as administering the card schemes.

In addition, the organisation's head office will be relocated from Bircham Newton, Norfolk with Peterborough earmarked as a likely new base. Small co-located offices will be also be established in London, Scotland and Wales to help deliver sector partnerships.

The plans also include the outsourcing of internal corporate support functions and customer operations, with the proposal to outsource these by the end of 2018.

Sarah Beale, Chief Executive of CITB, said: "Construction needs to modernise and CITB is no exception. We accept the challenges laid down by industry and Government and we will deliver a future-fit training body by adapting and updating our business model.

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"Some really tough decisions could be made under these proposals but I'm confident in our commitment to becoming a more representative, accountable and reliable ‘levy in, skills out' organisation. We now have a clearly defined path, and we see a bright future for a modern, engaged CITB. We look forward to working with our industry and Government to build a better Britain."

However, Unite's national officer for construction Jerry Swain has called the plans as a "hammer blow" for the construction industry and CITB workers.

"Thousands of construction workers owe their careers and their livelihoods to the unique training they have received at Bircham Newton," he said.

"There are grave doubts if any private provider could or would provide the same level of training at the same cost, which is currently provided at this unique facility.

"It appears that the ‘reforms' being proposed by the CITB are all about increasing profits for individuals and companies and not what is in the best interests of the construction industry.

"Construction is already facing a skills crisis and it is quite impossible to see how the CITB's decision to end its role in providing training is not going to simply make a bad situation worse. The Government must step in to ensure that these vitally important tutors and training facilities are not lost and that training is not downgraded."

Unite Regional Co-ordinating Officer, Mark Robinson, said the plans would "slash trash and privatise the CITB".

"The likelihood of finding a training provider willing and capable to take on the National Construction College function of the Bircham Newton site and other NCC sites across the country is difficult to ascertain and puts hundreds of jobs at serious risk," he said.

"Unite believes it is totally unnecessary to go to this level of change. For the CITB not to provide their own training on behalf of industry leaves the market wide open for less capable and reputable organisations to drive down the quality and standards that the industry expects.

"Unite will be seeking the views of its members to see what action can be taken to defend the hundreds of jobs not only in West Norfolk but throughout the country."

(LM/MH)