CITB is streamlining how levy‑registered employers access funding for training. From 30 September 2025, the current Skills & Training Fund will close, with Employer Networks becoming the single route for business development support—making the process clearer, not removing support. Core grants will still operate, and previously agreed applications will be honoured. Applications submitted in September will follow new terms, with funding paid upon project completion.

Read the full announcement

On 5 August 2025, DAC Beachcroft partner Karen Railton examines the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of 10‑year‑old Shea Ryan, who fell into an incomplete manhole after gaining access to a nearby construction site at night. The article outlines the sheriff’s fatal accident inquiry findings—which highlighted serious shortcomings in site security, communication between contractors, and daily safety protocols—and summarises seven key recommendations made to the HSE to better protect children from construction risks moving forward.

Read the full article here: Construction industry – is your site safe for children?

We’ve got a great line-up of events over the coming months and we’d love to see you there. These are open to all HCTG members, so get booked in and bring along your team where relevant.

🛠 Mini SHAD – Respiratory Protection with 3M
Thursday 7th August 2025
9.30am – 11.00am
📍 Fairways Golf Club, Inverness, IV2 6AA
An essential refresher on respiratory protection, ideal for managers, supervisors and operatives.

⚖️ Mini SHAD – Construction Mock Trial with DAS Beachcroft
Thursday 2nd October 2025
9.30am – 11.30am
📍 Culloden-Balloch Baptist Church, Wellside Rd, Balloch, Inverness IV2 7GS
Get an inside look at what happens when safety processes go wrong. A must for managers, supervisors and directors.

🎄 Christmas Lunch
Thursday 4th December 2025
11.30am – 2.00pm
📍 Fairways Golf Club and Restaurant, Inverness, IV2 6AA
Join us for a relaxed buffet lunch to celebrate the year and connect with other members.

👉 To book your place or find out more, contact Debbie at info@hctg.net
We look forward to seeing you at one (or all!) of these events.

CITB are holding a Skills and Training Conference on 28th August 2025 in Perth.

This event is open to Employers and Training Providers – for more information and how to book your place click – https://skillsscotland.citbevents.co.uk/home#home

HCTG were delighted to welcome Brogan from Mikeysline to present on Mental Health and Wellbeing at our recent Mini Shad event.

Mikeysline do such important work in the local area and it was great to hear the support they can offer.

We’re really pleased to invite you along to our next MINI Shad event, taking place on Thursday 5th June at Fairways Golf Club, Inverness, from 9.30am to 11am.

This session will focus on Mental Health and Wellbeing, with a talk delivered by the brilliant team at Mikeysline. It’s open to all member companies and their employees, so please do feel free to share the invite within your workplace.

If you’d like to join us, you can book your spot here: https://forms.office.com/e/QPP9jQ3fMg

Looking forward to seeing you there

At Simpson Builders, we’re more than just passionate about construction – we’re passionate about the people who make it all happen. That’s why we’re proud to support The Lighthouse Charity, an incredible organisation dedicated to helping those in the construction industry who are struggling with mental health and emotional wellbeing.
To support this vital cause, we’re thrilled to invite you to the first-ever North Highland Shin-Dig – and we want you to be a part of it!
📅 Date: Saturday, 25th October 2025
📍 Location: Drumossie Hotel, Inverness
🎟 Cost: £110 per person – includes a welcome drink and table wine
💌 Contact: winnie@simpsonbuilders.co.uk for tickets, table bookings, and info

What to Expect:
A fantastic evening of celebration and community
Delicious food and drinks
A lively ceilidh and entertainment
And most importantly — the chance to make a real impact on lives in the construction community

Support That Goes Further:
We’re also hosting an auction on the night to raise additional funds for The Lighthouse Charity. If you’re able to donate a prize — big or small — we would be truly grateful. Whether it’s a gift voucher, unique experience, or something one-of-a-kind, every item helps us go further in supporting this important mission.

Let’s Make This a Night to Remember
Whether you’re attending with colleagues, friends, or family, this event promises to be something special. So, mark your calendars, dust off your dancing shoes, and join us in making a difference!
🎟 Tickets are available now – don’t miss out!
Reach out to Winnie Munro at winnie@simpsonbuilders.co.uk to secure your place or to offer an auction prize.
Together, we can shine a light where it’s needed most. 💛

From Disclosure Scotland regarding works in hospitals where contractor staff could come into contact with ‘children or vulnerable adults’.

From the 1^st April 2025 the Disclosure Scotland Act 2020 will bring with it changes to the legislation that provides for PVG Membership when carrying out a regulated role in Scotland with Children and Protected Adults.

These changes don’t take effect until the 1^st April.

One major change is in the area you refer to in your enquiry – it will now be a requirement when working in certain named locations one of which is a Hospital setting for individuals who when in the named location will have the opportunity of unsupervised contact with children or protected adults.Disclosure Scotland

So yes from the 1^st April and only from the 1^st April you will be required by law to have anyone who works in a Hospital and has the opportunity for unsupervised contact when doing so to be in the PVG Scheme.

Applications cannot be submitted until the 1^st April.

If you have individuals working in a hospital at the moment which is not a Children’s Hospital those individuals won’t be eligible for PVG until the law changes on the 1^st April.

Highland Construction Training Group are currently preparing tender documentation for the provision of construction training courses.

Experienced Training Companies, who wish to be considered for the tender, are asked to express an interest via our email info@hctg.net before 12:00 noon on Friday 28th February 2025.

The expression of interest should provide a one page summary of the Companies training experience which will be assessed to create a final tender list.

Tender documents will be issued in March 2025 and are required back by the Friday 25th April 2025.