Bringing together a network of construction employers, the CITB’s Training Groups help businesses across England, Scotland and Wales access cost-effective and high quality training that meets their needs. With economies of scale in place, some Training Groups can achieve savings against the market rate (some up to 40%) which can be passed straight on to their members. They’re funded by the CITB Levy and if you’re a Levy-registered company, you’re also eligible to join your local Training Group.
Iain Kirtley spoke with David Holbrook from The Oxfordshire Training Group to find out more about these groups and how FMB members could benefit from them:
Iain: Could you tell me about Training Groups and what their roles are please?
David: Local Training Groups are designed to provide levy-paying member organisations with an additional resource in the context of seeking ‘best price’ effective training solutions. To this end, many of us will negotiate directly with local training providers, in order that a member can receive such discounts at the time of booking. The way I have organised things here, is that we now have three main areas of specific training delivery – General Health & Safety, Plant and First Aid. In all, there are around 80+ Groups across England, Scotland and Wales, with some being specifically trade-focused e.g. demolition, woodwork, scaffolding, concrete etc.
Iain: What’s your role at The Oxfordshire Training Group?
David: I’m the Group Training Officer, and an integral part of the Management Committee (MC). The MC is made up of employer representatives, so therefore always having the members’ interests at heart – important. Quite simply, we need their mandate to operate. I have been in post since January 2007.
I also share with the members, a four-monthly publication (Core Course Schedule) providing a common menu of courses that are readily available and at what price, plus where and when! I will even book the course on their behalf if needs be.
Iain: Which geographical areas does your Training Group cover?
David: Currently, in broad terms, this group currently covers Oxfordshire generally together with some of west Buckinghamshire and East Wiltshire (as there are no Groups established in these counties). In addition, I have a built an Associate Member structure, comprising Colleges, accredited training providers and H&S Consultants; these are non-fee-paying organisations, but are encouraged to offer favourable discounts to our members, usually ranging from 15 to 20%.
Iain: What sort of training can members access?
David: A whole variety, embracing leadership, management & supervisory, technical up-skilling, qualification accreditation maintenance, Apprenticeships, both commercial and technical. In addition, first aid at work, mental health & wellbeing. In addition, there will specific titles staged and offer to the members, such as JCT Form of Contract, Building Safety Act etc., whereupon we would book the ‘trainer’, venue etc., then charge each interested party at a significantly discounted rate. If a non-member wished to attend, we would charge out at a ‘full rate’, although endeavour to encourage them to ultimately join. In order to complement this arrangement, guest speakers are invited to our member general meetings (normally around three to four a year) e.g. Building Performance Hub, High Wycombe, OxLEP Skills Hub, Greencore Construction Limited, Bicester (sustainable construction), to name but a few. There are many others which I’ll bore you with at some later stage!
Iain: What are the benefits for FMB members to get involved with their local training group?
David: The most tangible benefit is centred on discounted course delivery, plus direct access to someone like me for assistance in the market for what they may be looking for. Depending upon the size of the business, we have always taken pride in being a meaningful extension of the local management team, by virtue of employment advice, training planning, evaluation, a strong networking ethos and an opportunity to showcase their skills and products. An independent voice of the industry, which members can lean towards in their hour of need! Although not a common feature across the national network, we have formed our very own fund (Special Projects Fund), whereby a member can seek support funding courses that are not CITB grant-aided e.g. First Aid, Manual Handling, Accountancy, Employment Law, IT etc. To this end, we have literally just assisted the office manager of a local scaffolding company to achieve her AAT Certificate at Level 2 (via Banbury College), who will now be giving serious consideration to embarking on the next stage, once the next academic year arrives in September.
Iain: How can FMB members learn more?
David: For members in Oxfordshire they can contact me, and for others they can search for their local Training Group, who will then talk them through the range of services, then agree a visit if considered appropriate. Those that are recognised as an in-scope CITB registered organisation can always discuss the merits with their local Employment Engagement Advisor, who should be very aware of how their local Group operates and what it offers.
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Authors
Iain Kirtley
With over 20 years’ experience of membership bodies, not for profit organisations and the private sector, Iain joined the FMB in August 2023 from the Chartered Institute of Building where he worked with construction companies of all sizes to support them with training, development and accreditation.
