A new report has revealed more than 300 projects across the UK have benefitted from CITB levy funding.

'The impact of CITB Project Funding' document states a total of £17.8 million raised through the organisation's levy was shared by 303 projects in England, Scotland and Wales between September 2015 and December 2016.

The largest group to receive funding were micro and small employers (231), followed by construction federations (38), large employers (18), CITB-funded training groups (9), medium employers (6) and one Trade Union.

Of the projects that received funding;

• 149 were funded to reduce the skills gap

• 119 received monies to increase access to the right training

• 18 won funding to reduce skills shortages

• 14 projects increased the appeal of working in construction

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• Three increased the value added per employee

In addition, larger-scale projects to receive funding included £2.5m to Skanska's five-year strategic partnership with the Supply Chain Sustainability School to provide an online resource library, while £1.1m was pledged to the Civil Engineering Contractors Association's Infrastructure Development Programme.

Other schemes included:

• £1.9m to the Roofing Industry Alliance programme to bring together all the main roofing industry stakeholders to collectively set up a training strategy for tackling skills gaps and skills shortages in the sector at all levels.

• £200,000 to Kier Construction's Inspiring Students project to raise awareness of different career opportunities within the sector.

• £250,000 for BAM Nuttall to develop Construction Employer Frameworks for ex-offenders across Wales.

Steve Radley, CITB Director of Policy, said the report showcases how levy payers' money is having a positive impact on the industry, including on many small firms.

"It shows that CITB funding helps people gain qualifications; reduce skills gaps and improves staff morale," he said.

"For employers it has encouraged innovation and facilitated new partnerships, as well as improving perceptions of construction as a career. We will continue to work closely with our industry to ensure that funding is targeted at its priorities and delivers the outcomes it needs."

(LM)