FMB members are fully aware of the shortage of skilled workers to meet their businesses’ needs. We receive feedback from members on the legislation which requires them to make levy payments to the Construction Industry Training Board Northern Ireland (CITBNI) on an annual basis.
Whilst this is a legal requirement, it is important that your experiences of the current levy system, as well as accessing grant funding needed for training and development, is also relayed to CITB and the Department for the Economy. Doing so allows firms to see a return for the levy they pay out and hopefully an improved system for SME contractors.
What are CITBNI’s key goals?
In setting out its vision for the year ahead CITB NI are placing emphasis around some key themes:
- The imperative to attract, recruit and develop the next generation of our workforce.
- The need for the existing workforce to develop more digital skills appropiate to their role to improve performance and efficiency.
- The need to scope out and develop upskilling programmes to deliver on the net zero agenda in new and retrofit projects for exisiting buildings.
- The need for a competent workforce to deliver the required infrastructure for our economy.
The FMB would back any plan to help deliver these goals as we know how much it would mean to our members.
What of the proposed CITB NI levy figures for 2022-23?
Commenting on the year ahead CITB representatives issues the following statement:
“As you know CITBNI is compelled under legislation to review and consult on the levy rate for each financial year.This levy allows CITBNI to support the sector not just for the coming year but for the next ten.
It has long been our aim to ensure that all employers contribute to a system on a fair and equitable basis and whilst some measures we have put in place have not always been welcomed they are delivering results.Widening the base of employers on which we raise levy mean that we were able to reduce the figure to 0.55% and hope to hold it there for the coming year.”
Have your say on the proposed new CITB NI levy rate
An industry consultation is currently open on this figure until the end of April. Please feel able to speak in confidence to myself as your Regional Director in relation to this subject with any concerns or queries that you have.
CITBNI have also produced a very helpful infographic which highlights key dates for those looking to make a submission.
Download the infographic
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