With the incentive of a record £140million in CITB-ConstructionSkills Grants available this year, construction employers are being encouraged to develop their workforce and improve their business through quality training.

The record level of training grants available from 1st August 2007, is a marked increase on the £113million distributed in the 2006 financial year, which saw over 20,500 employers benefit.

The increase in funds available follows industry consultation which identified key areas where grant is most needed and where the Grants Scheme could be simplified to make it more accessible to employers.

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Employers benefit most from a longer term approach to training so grants to encourage firms to develop their people in a planned, structured way have increased in value. The level of grant available to support apprentices has also been significantly increased to help more employers recruit and train the next generation of skilled construction workers. This follows the Government’s announcement earlier this year that it wants more young people to continue in training and education to the age of 18.

CITB-ConstructionSkills Grants are available to support a wide variety of training within the industry, covering key initiatives such as qualifying existing workers, improving health and safety, and training new recruits.

With a Training and Development Plan in place, firms can claim grants for training in many disciplines that benefit their business, not only construction-based programmes but also computer skills, accountancy and administration.

In 2006 around 4,100 construction employers invested in the longer term development of their workforce through adopting a Training and Development Plan.

(JM/SP)