The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has warned CITB it is on its last chance after the organisation voted in favour of retaining its levy system powers.

In a letter to CITB's Chief Executive Sarah Beale, FMB Chief Brian Berry said the organisation is backing the skills body on the basis it "embarks on a thorough review of its governance".

Out of more than 5,000 levy paying members, the FMB received only 82 replies in favour of backing CITB with 81 against.

Other provisions for FMB's support to CITB include;

• simplifying the grant scheme as the process is too complicated and bureaucratic

• championing high-quality training across the country (particularly in relation to apprenticeships),


• developing a new approach with the Government on how levy is collected from the construction industry

• Recognising that skills and apprenticeships are devolved matters and better reflect this in the organisation. As an example, the FMB suggests creating a CITB Head of Apprenticeships in Scotland specifically, rather than a GB-wide Head of Apprenticeships who covers all three nations.

• The CITB must work for the greater good of the whole construction industry, investing grants strategically and where it is most needed.

Mr Berry said: "FMB members are divided regarding the future of CITB – some want to see it continue and others want to see it abolished but all agree that it is not currently working for the industry's smaller firms.

"Yes, the FMB has decided to give its support for the continuation of the levy but we do not want this support to be interpreted as support for the status quo. The CITB is broken and we must all pitch in to ensure we fix it.

"The stakes couldn't be higher because unless we get this right, the construction skills crisis will continue to worsen and the Government will be unable to meet its ambitious house building and infrastructure objectives."

(LM/MH)