Industry training body ConstructionSkills has welcomed recommendations in a government skills review to give employers control of £3bn of public funds for skills training.

The Leitch Review, commissioned by the Treasury and published this week, said businesses, including those in the construction sector, should dictate how the adult training budget should be spent, with employers given control of the design of courses. Now the government must decide whether or not to endorse the proposals.

Sir Michael Latham, chairman of ConstructionSkills, said: “We are hoping that the government will endorse the recommendations and pave the way for employers, aided by sector skills councils, to gain real influence over the education and skills system.”

Meanwhile, a separate government-backed review this week praised the work of ConstructionSkills, saying it has significantly improved its performance over the past year.

The report, by the Adult Learning Inspectorate, found that, overall, the body’s services and courses were good, and especially praised its management and leadership. However, it said ConstructionSkills should improve its arrangements for ensuring equal opportunities.