Andrew is Head of Employer Delivery and Engagement for CITB in England, heading up a team that supports construction employers to train and upskill their people.
With an ambition to deliver excellent experiences, drive value and support employers to access the training they need now and for the future, Andrew’s team works with customers, stakeholders, and partners to encourage training and help talented people from diverse backgrounds join the construction industry, develop their skills and progress sustainable careers in the sector.
We sat down with Andrew to discuss his key note speech Build North Expo
Q) What is your role within CITB and what does it involve?
A) I’m Head of Employer Delivery and Engagement in England, a role I share with another colleague. It involves managing a team of colleagues that support employers in the construction industry to have a skilled, competent and inclusive workforce, now and in the future. CITB has a team of 100 advisors across England, Scotland and Wales who can support and guide construction businesses to access CITB training, grants, funding and apprenticeships. They can also signpost to other sources of support, help and advice, including local partners and networks.
Q) What is the importance and role of CITB within the industry?
A) The role of CITB and its importance to the construction industry is more important than it’s ever been. The skills gap demonstrates the need for a strategic body for the industry that can plan and deliver what’s needed to close the gap. The availability of high quality training to the standards that are required by the construction industry is essential to equip the workforce with the skills they need now and in the future.
Q) Why is Build North an important platform for CITB? What do you believe attendees can take from your keynote speech?
A) I’m hoping that those attending Build North will hear the ways in which CITB has been listening to industry and responding to the skills challenges it faces. There are so many ways that CITB can support construction businesses of all sizes and across all sectors, and being at Build North provides the perfect opportunity for me to make employers aware of what they can access.
Q) Skills and training is a huge part of what CITB do. How important are events such as Build North in addressing the skills gap and maintaining high quality training?
A) Build North provides an opportunity for CITB to talk with the industry about the pressures it’s facing, discuss solutions that are currently being developed and delivered, and identify other ways to help the industry. CITB’s offer to industry has changed over the past 12 months so Build North also allows us to tell construction businesses how we’ve changed and how the changes can benefit them.
Q) How do you believe CITB can benefit from having a presence at Build North?
A) As one of the main events for the construction industry in the North of England, it attracts construction businesses that our teams may not already be in touch with. It means we can speak with them about how we can support their skills and training needs to support their growth aspirations.
