A new chairman has been appointed to the Construction Industry’' Training Board (CITB-ConstructionSkills).

James Wates, who has been a CITB-ConstructionSkills board member for seven years and will take over the role from the current chair, Sir Michael Latham at the end of March, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills announced.

Skills Minister Kevin Brennan, said: "I am very pleased to confirm James Wates’ appointment as the chair of CITB-ConstructionSkills. His prior experience of working on the board and with other skills organisations means he is well placed to lead the training board.

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"The construction industry has struggled during the downturn, but we are seeing the first signs of recovery within the sector, and we must support this by providing the right training and skills opportunities to allow for growth and to secure the industry's future."

Mr Wates said: "I am delighted to have the opportunity to take on the chairmanship of CITB-ConstructionSkills at this critical time for our industry. The economic pressures create challenges for the whole training and skills agenda but if we are to maintain a world class construction sector in the future we have to continue to invest - but I think we have to be much smarter in how we go about it.

"The importance of CITB-ConstructionSkills to the industry I think is demonstrated by the commitment of my predecessors in this role and I am honoured to follow in the footsteps of such industry luminaries as Sir Cliff Chetwood, Hugh Try and, of course, Sir Michael Latham."

(CD/GK)