CITB grants may be linked to training plans

The use of grants as a lever to encourage the development and delivery of formal company training plans guaranteeing a minimum of two days training per employee per year is being proposed by the Construction Industry Training Board as part of a fundamental review of its grants policy.

Aside from grants for new entrant training, the board has suggested that an approved training plan could itself be eligible for a grant.

The proposal is part of a series of options on the future of grants drawn up by a special CITB working party. To qualify for a grant, the plan would be submitted in an approved format and would commit the company to an average of two days off-the-job training a year for each employee.

The grant would be paid at the end of the company's financial year upon receipt of a statement from a director, partner, or proprietor confirming that the minimum had been achieved.