Updated Training Course Durations
The CITB's updated training course has been in effect since December 2024. This update extends the durations, giving plant operators more hands-on experience, in-depth technical instruction, and the opportunity to master advanced technologies like GPS-guided machinery. This is generally good news as trainees receive better training. This means safer working conditions and a general skill improvement. Hopefully this will also mean higher wages to align with the higher skills for plant workers.
The extra time also allows for structured assessments and personalised feedback, ensuring operators are well-prepared, highly skilled, and confident to meet modern construction demands.
What Do These Changes Mean for Employers and Training Providers?
- Improved Return on Investment: A crucial impact that is hoped to be imparted by this update, is for employers to have a better ROI. One of the most pressing issues in the UK construction industry has been the skills gap among new entrants. This has resulted in employers incurring additional cost of training new employees to meet industry standards. Typically this has meant many employers choosing to mostly hire those who are already trained and experienced due to the better ROI of doing so.
With improved training quality, it is hoped that this issue will be addressed. With more training and more hands on experience, workers should start out more capable and requiring less investment to bring them up to speed. This would mean that Employers have better ROI when hiring new workers as well as having a larger pool of workers to choose from.
- Compliance with New Standards: For training providers, it is crucial that your training programs align with CITB’s updated requirements to maintain access to grants and certifications. Compliance was a challenge during the last updates, this time around, the transition appears smoother for now—perhaps due to better implementation or, more likely, because providers have learned from the headache of the previous changes.
- Enhanced Workforce Competence: The new standards incorporate training on eco-friendly technologies and the latest industry innovations, helping the UK construction sector to be more competitive and forward thinking. This update serves as a much-needed boost to improve performance and help the UK construction sector catch up to the global market.
What about for current operators or new entrants?
These new changes are also intended to positively help workers in the following ways:
- More Opportunities: The extended training durations provide a chance to enhance your expertise, making you more valuable in the job market. Starting in construction proved unusually harder than expectations due to the added costs of training the workers in areas that they lacked in. New workers were effectively competing with more experienced workers who had effectively similar costs to employers.
- Career Advancement: Improved skills and certifications could lead to higher earnings and broader career prospects within the industry. With a focus on improving the skills of the industry, more resources are freed up to reinvest into the industry - this is expected to lead to more opportunities for increased wages and promotions.
- Preparedness for Industry Demands: Insufficient hands-on experience and practical knowledge left workers ill-equipped to meet real-world demands, increasing the risk of accidents and inefficiencies on-site. The updated standards aim to bridge this gap, ensuring trainees are better prepared to perform safely and effectively from day one.
Recommended Actions for 2025
Here's some recommendations to prepare for these changes and have a successful year:
- Review Training Plans: Employers and providers should ensure training programs align with the updated CITB standards.
- Access Grants: Explore the new, more accessible grants to reduce costs and support training efforts.
- Upskill Early: Workers should enrol in training aligned with the new standards to stay ahead in the industry.
- Stay Updated: Is your CSCS up to date? Let us help you Book Your CITB Test for hassle free renewal.