Why CITB is Funding the future...

Sean Simmons’ letter of complaint (‘Letters’, CM, July/August) actually highlighted how the success of the CITB grant-supported apprenticeship scheme has led us to insist on quality control measures. He comments that he could not get funding for an apprentice doing day release. There are recommendations attached to the claiming of CITB Grants for apprentices. These are drawn up by industry representatives and state that training to NVQ Level 2/Foundation Modern Apprenticeship needs to be delivered in 25 weeks, this includes two weeks for assessment. The aim being to achieve the Level 2 in two years, with the expectation that in Year 3 apprentices will progress onto Level 3.

This would not be possible on a day-release only programme. The recommendations ensure that apprentice training is of the highest quality and provides the employer with people who will become productive in the industry as quickly as possible. They also serve to ensure effective management of levy and protect the interests of levy payers. However, we try to be as flexible as possible to encourage apprenticeship training and in many cases, a combination of day release and short blocks of training over a two year period is possible. As long as the quality criteria are met for grant purposes then the employer can claim grant, whether through CITB or other provision.

Over the last two years CITB Grants for apprentices have increased by 30% leading to a 50% increase in the number of apprentices supported by CITB (over 9,000 - well above our industry set target). However, as Mr Simmons correctly points out, the industry needs more: 83,000 new entrants per year for the next five years to be exact. Because we have committed to industry not to increase the levy, we cannot continue to increase the grant pot. As a result, we are currently proactively talking to government and government agencies to find alternative sources of funding that can support the massive increase in training required.

Far from financial mismanagement, we have exceeded targets for apprentice recruitment and are now using our Sector Skills Council status to negotiate an even better deal for industry.