Training levy losing support of the industry

Industry support for the statutory training levy has waned over the last year, according to the latest contractor survey carried out on behalf of CITB-Constructionskills.

Of nearly 2,000 firms quizzed, 69% were in favour of retaining the levy-grant system, compared with 75% 12 months ago. And 28% were opposed to the levy, with 3% uncommitted.

The decline in support has been attributed to changes in the survey to include more firms that are not members of the group of trade federations, whose opinions have traditionally been canvassed in determining the legally required level of backing for the levy.

Members of these federations are much more inclined to back the levy-grant system. Even here, support is slightly down from 77% to 73%. Among non-federated firms that are levy payers, support dropped sharply from 70% to 54%.

A decline in trade federation membership has meant that using this as a measure of support has put the legal status of the levy at risk. The government has agreed that a new measure will be introduced next year.