The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has quadrupled the number of learners supported through its Employer Networks initiative, according to its year-end figures.
Employer Networks are funded by CITB and offer bespoke training and financial support for employers.
They also give employers a direct channel to communicate their training needs and advise on how funding should be prioritised and allocated in their local area.
The data for the second full year of operation for the initiative shows that 50,966 learners were supported in 2024-25, an increase from 11,468 in its inaugural year.
According to the figures for 2024-25:
- 4,097 employers were supported by the initiative – an increase from 1,284 the previous year
- 2,655 of the employers supported are small and micro (SMEs)
- 26% of the employers supported had not claimed a grant in the past 12 months
Deb Madden, executive director for nations engagement at CITB, said: “It’s vital we have a firm grasp of what skills are required and where they’re needed across the country.
“Employer Networks are designed to make the training and skills system easier to navigate for employers, in turn helping to address the skills gap.
“Our latest Employer Networks figures prove the initiative has been hugely successful, and we look forward to building on this success and continue providing much-needed access to training for more employers and learners.”
Madden added: “There is an increasing demand for construction work in the UK, and construction employers are clearly aware of the opportunity and the need for training, with 80% of employers indicating they plan to increase their training efforts in the future.
“We’re always striving to improve our services and embed a culture of quality into what we do – Employer Networks are a prime example of this.”
