Federations that represent employers from across the building industry have confirmed their continuing support for the CITB-ConstructionSkills levy/grant system - claiming that despite harder times, the current system still has an important role to play.

In 2008, CITB-ConstructionSkills was awarded a three year levy order, after consensus federations voted in support of the system.

The impact of the recession and changes to the Grants Scheme has naturally meant greater scrutiny of value for money and although federations will not be asked to give consent to the next Levy Order proposals until 2011, CITB-ConstructionSkills has maintained its commitment to talk to industry each year.

The annual process of consultation with consensus federations helps the training body to gauge opinion, understand industry's concerns and take on ideas for improvements for the future.

The results showed support for the levy, although one federation indicated that its members had particular concerns and further discussions with the sector are under way to address them.

Dave Campbell from the British Woodworking Federation said: "Our members still see the levy as a vital tool for ensuring an ever qualified and fully trained workforce - it's a real asset to our members.

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"We appreciate the difficult economic times CITB-ConstructionSkills finds itself in, and we are confident that the new Grants Scheme, though scaled back, will continue to allow our members to invest in training over the coming years."

UKCG, which speaks for industry's major contractors (and for two specialist federations) was also among the bodies that gave support to the levy system. Stephen Ratcliffe, Director of UKCG said: "I can confirm that UKCG continues to support the operation of a statutory levy and grants system. We have greatly valued Mark Farrar's contribution since he took over as Chief Executive and share his goals and aspirations for the future of CITB-ConstructionSkills."

He added: "There are some areas where we particularly want effort to be made in the coming 12 months, but we stand ready to help deliver the solutions."

Whilst confirmation of industry support is welcome to CITB-ConstructionSkills, James Wates, Chairman of the Industry Training Board and Sector Skills Council recognises that changes are needed and urged employers to remain steadfast in their support – asking them to join a campaign that would help industry to meet the challenges ahead.

Wates said: "In June, we put the spotlight on our consensus federations and asked them for open and honest feedback on our performance. We value the opinions of our industry leaders and so while we are pleased to hear that they continue to support the levy, we acknowledge that there are areas of our business that need urgent attention."

He added: "We are not going to be complacent. We have already made changes to the Grants Scheme to reflect falls in levy – but we've also restructured the organisation, streamlined our processes and reduced our headcount.

"We've listened to the views of our federations and their members and we're in the process of putting together a manifesto for further change, which will respond to the feedback we've got.

"More than ever before, we need to work together to face the change that's coming our way. We’re up to the challenge, and we have the support of our consensus federations, but we need our industry to unite so that we can meet the challenges head on."

(GK/BMcC)