Training levy under fire

A customer satisfaction survey carried out by the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) has shown "categorically" that very few employers like paying the levy while the procedures for claiming grants are heavily criticised.

ECITB chairman Jim Rowland said the survey has thrown up some mixed messages. There were high satisfaction ratings in respect of the delivery of training programmes.

Also, 40% of respondents claimed that both training quality and quantity would decline if the ECITB ceased to exist. On the other hand, 80% said the existence of the training board had no influence on their training quantity or quality.

"I am certain that the ECITB delivers a valuable service to the industry and I am equally certain that it can be better still," saidRowland in his introduction to the training board's latest annual report.

"As I look beyond 2003, I sincerely believe that the status quo is not an option for the ECITB."
Like the Construction Industry Training Board, the ECITB has just had its statutory status renewed after a five-yearly government review.

The annual report underlines a dramatic shift in the structure of engineering construction over the past 10 years. In 1991, new build accounted for nearly 55% of the workload, while repair and maintenance accounted for about 45%. Last year, new build made up barely 10% of output with repair and maintenance soaring to more than 85% of workload.

The report shows that last year the training board income totalled £13.7m, including £11m of levy monies. Total spending was £13.3m, with £9.9m being spent on direct training services. Approximately £500,000 was spent on qualifications and competence assurance.

The number of firms registered with the board increased last year from 368 to 429.
Last year chief executive David Edwards received an 8% increase in his pay package, which rose to £94,017.