The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has confirmed it will retain its Head Office at Bircham Newton until December 2019.

Following a meeting of the organisation's Board last week, bosses decided to remain on site until Christmas next year in order to support the training college's sale, which CITB anticipates will commence during this summer.

In November, the organisation announced it would close the facility as part of a reform programme.

In a statement, CITB said: "At the recent Kings Lynn roundtable meeting CITB was asked to consider a proposal to retain its Head Office at Bircham Newton until December 2019.

"After careful consideration the Board has confirmed the proposal based on the high level of commercial interest CITB has generated in the future development of the site. This commitment will enable CITB to work closely with local stakeholders to shape the future of the site with interested parties.

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"Maintaining CITB's Head Office presence at Bircham Newton on site until December 2019 will support a more rapid sale of the training college, which we anticipate to commence during the summer of 2018. CITB will then be well placed to go to market on the remainder of the site."

CITB will also be releasing its outsourcing tender, part of the Vision 2020 reform [rogramme, with an expected publication towards the end of this month "ensuring outsourced services can be agreed, secured and operating effectively by the end of 2018".

Maria Pilfold, Employer CITB Board Member, said: "After careful consideration at our Board meeting, we decided to a maintain presence at Bircham Newton no later than the end of 2019, recognising a small number of roles which may be needed to oversee final exit arrangements or development.

"CITB will keep its promise to industry to reform, moving to a new single Head Office site in 2020 which is a crucial element of our proposals. This decision offers further clarity to CITB colleagues and will enable the business to start formal consultations with employees in the near future."

(LM)