The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills has this week begun the search for a new Chair for the Industry Training Board for construction – CITB-ConstructionSkills.

The current Chairman, Sir Michael Latham, author of the 1994 Latham Report is due to retire in March next year after seven years in the post.

The two-day per week job based in London is one of the construction industry’s most influential positions, with the Chair leading the CITB-ConstructionSkills Board in making strategic decisions about training and shaping the future direction of the construction industry.

The role of Chair is key to the construction sector. Since 2002, Sir Michael Latham has been one of the industry’s leading voices, representing construction at the highest level. However, the recession has made this role even more crucial and Sir Michael has been called upon to represent the industry with an influential voice both politically and with other industry leaders.

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The Chair’s role is central to the organisation’s success and any potential candidate must be able to successfully manage the complex relationships between nations and interest groups within the construction and built environment sector.

Mark Farrar, Chief Executive, [CITB-]ConstructionSkills said: "This is a very important and high profile role for CITB-ConstructionSkills and for the construction industry at what is a time of change and opportunity – as well as great challenge.

"The industry expects strong leadership during a period when many businesses are struggling, and with training absolutely crucial to the long term success of this sector, we need a Chair that can provide the right level of influence, guidance and drive to move the industry forward."

The Chair, along with all Board Members, will be appointed by Ministers the Industrial Training Act 1982.

The appointments are governed by the principles set out by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA). Appointment on merit is the overriding principle along with the need for openness, transparency and independent scrutiny.

Applicants for the post are encouraged to contact BIS for more information about the role. The closing date for applications is 30th October 2009. Interviews will be held in late November 2009 in London.

For more information and an application pack, please email:[email protected] quoting reference 'CITB' or send your name and address with the reference 'CITB' to FESG Appointments Team, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, W3b, Moorfoot, Sheffield, S1 4PQ.

Alternatively, the advertisement will also be placed on the BIS (www.bis.gov.uk) website, as well as ConstructionSkills’ website (www.cskills.org).

(GK/BMcC)