Everything You Need to Know About CITB post image

If you work in the construction industry then you’ll almost certainly have heard of CITB, but who actually are they? What do they do?

Well to help give you a greater understanding of the training board itself, and the different types of CITB training courses we offer, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide complete with everything you need to know about CITB!

What is CITB?

The letters CITB stand for Construction Industry Training Board. They are the go-to training board for the construction sector across the United Kingdom.

The CITB is an industry-led, statutory organisation that was first established back in 1964 with the primary objective of supporting and enhancing the skills and training available for those within the construction industry.

Their purpose is to support the construction industry across England, Scotland and Wales by attracting talent and encouraging skills development. As a training board, they set out the essential Health & Safety standards required for construction workers to operate safely across various roles.

They are also responsible for funding and managing a wide range of initiatives and schemes to help people enter or progress down various career paths within construction.

CITB Approved Training Organisation

Here at The Safety Maintenance Company, we’re proud to be a CITB Approved Training Organisation!

As an ATO, we’re an organisation that provides construction training courses and qualifications to CITB’s defined and industry-agreed training standard. This means you can rest assured knowing that your qualifications up to standard and recognised across the industry when you choose TSMC for your CITB Training Courses.

How does the CITB help the Construction Industry?

The CITB predominantly helps the construction across four different areas:

Funding & Grants
Training Development & Delivery
Qualifications & Certifications
Research & Insights

Funding & Grants

As part of their focus to attract talent into the construction industry, CITB provides financial support in the form of funding and grants for construction companies, employers and training providers.

Training Development & Delivery

CITB collaborates with industry stakeholders to identify skill gaps, develop training standards, and create training materials. In turn, they ensure that the training provided meets the industry’s evolving needs and aligns with national occupational standards.

Qualifications & Certifications

The training boards offer a range of industry-recognized qualifications and certifications, such as Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) cards, Site Safety Plus courses, and Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) certifications.

Research & Insights

CITB regularly conducts research to understand industry trends, labour market demands, and future skills requirements. This information helps shape their training programs and provides valuable insights into the industry as a whole.

Are CITB & CSCS the same?

The CITB and the CSCS are often confused with each other and used as interchangeable terms. However, despite popular opinion, they are actually separate organisations – both with a similar purpose and both important names within the construction industry.

CSCS, which stands for the Construction Skills Certification Scheme, issues construction workers with the necessary certification that proves they’re suitable and competent to work on-site, in the form of a CSCS Card.

However, in order to successfully apply for your CSCS Card, you must first complete the CITB Health & Safety Awareness course and pass the CITB Health, Safety and Environment (HS&E) test first.

This only relates to a Labourers CSCS card and not other CSCS cards – if delegates have an NVQ in their trade or academic qualifications they just have to do a CSCS test.

Regardless of the type of CSCS card you’re applying for, you’ll need to provide proof that you’ve passed the HS&E test within the past two years.

Why is the CITB so important?

Since 1964, CITB played numerous vital roles in the construction industry, solidifying its name and impact by driving the workforce, encouraging safe practices and shaping the future of construction as a whole!

They’ve accomplished this through the following areas:

Skills Development

CITB plays a vital role in developing a skilled workforce for the construction industry. Through their training programs and initiatives, they ensure that workers possess the necessary skills and knowledge to carry out their roles effectively, improving productivity and quality of work.

Safety Culture

CITB’s emphasis on health and safety training helps create a safer working environment within the construction industry. By promoting best practices and delivering courses that enhance awareness and compliance, they contribute to reducing accidents and injuries on construction sites.

Industry Standards

CITB collaborates with industry experts to set training standards and ensure that qualifications and certifications meet industry requirements. This helps employers in the construction sector to recruit competent and qualified workers, raising the overall standards within the construction industry.

Career Progression

CITB’s training programs, apprenticeships, and qualifications provide individuals with a clear pathway for career development within the construction industry. They help individuals acquire new skills, gain industry-recognized certifications, and advance their careers.

CITB Training Courses

As a CITB Approved Training Centre, we deliver a range of CITB training courses at various locations across the country; providing vital Health & Safety education and necessary qualifications to hundreds of participants looking to enter or progress within construction.

Check out our range of CITB courses below, or contact us today for more information!

Everything You Need to Know About CITB