Robert Gordon University (RGU) recently presented the attached presentation, which showcases the various GA’s on offer at RGU.

There are still 8 places available on their Built Environment apprenticeship, where students would be required to attend campus one day per module (8days in year 1; 6 days in year 2), the rest of the course is delivered by distance learning.

Currently the tuition fees for of the GA are being met from SDS funding.  In addition to this, there is also CITB Attendance and Achievement Graduate Apprenticeships (SCQF Level 8 and 10) grants that in-scope companies can claim to the value of £11,000 to support recruiting a new entrant or upskilling an existing employee, full details can be found on our website: Apprenticeships-for-grant-scotland/

Any interested parties can contact Calum Lawrie directly (E) c.lawrie5@rgu.ac.uk ; Calum or his colleague Fiona Campbell will then arrange to meet with the company and their employee(s).

HMRC are introducing “Reverse Charging of VAT” for the construction industry to address the wide-spread VAT fraud that is carried out by many in the construction industry. In the 2017 UK Government budget there was an announcement on the introduction of the reverse charging of VAT in the construction industry. This will take effect from October 2019 and will be a significant change for the construction industry.

This will come into force in October and will impact on everyone who is liable to pay VAT in the construction industry. The main and most immediate effect will be on the cash flow of anyone that operates in a supply chain as they will no longer have access to the 20% VAT to assist with their cash flow.

CECA Scotland is organising a number of free seminars in Scotland in June, this is an urgent need to raise awareness of this amongst as many contractors as possible, CECA would like to extend this invite out to training group members.

Liz Bridge, the well respected construction industry tax expert, will provide details on how these major changes will impact on members and what action needs to be considered now to prepare for the changes.

The main element of this seminar will be an explanation of Reverse Charge VAT. This will entirely change the way many firms charge and account for VAT. It will have an enormous impact on cash flow and will be required to be fully understood so that the correct planning by companies can be put in place.

A firm will be affected if;

• it has VAT registered subcontractors working for it.
• it works for another contractor rather than for the final user of a building or structure.
• you are VAT registered and CIS registered

You will need to know how the changes will impact upon your company and ensure that the necessary training of staff has taken place. You will need to redesign invoices and (again) upgrade software. Many firms will need to register with HMRC as repayment traders and send in monthly VAT returns.

In addition, June will see the first compulsory tax returns under the new Making Tax Digital regime. Liz will provide some tips and pointers for what to do if your tax return fails. She will outline what she believes to be the long term plan of HMRC –and how Making Tax Digital is just the tip of an iceberg!

This FREE seminar is aimed at Directors, Senior Managers and all those involved in finance and book-keeping.

HOW TO BOOK

Dates:
•4th June         Westerwood Hotel, 1 St Andrews Dr, Cumbernauld, G68 0EW (Limited Spaces still available)
•5th June         Palm Court Hotel, 81 Seafield Rd, Aberdeen AB15 7YX
•6th June         Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC, Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, Inverness IV1 1FB

Time:
Registration at all venues will open at 0830 with the seminar ending with lunch at 1200.

This is the biggest tax change to impact the construction industry since the introduction of CIS. Demand for places at these seminars will be high so please reserve your place(s) quickly by e-mailing glenda@cecascotland.co.uk  with your name, designation, e-mail address and which date and venue you wish to attend. Alternatively you can call Glenda on 01786 430007.

It will be free for any CITB reg employers or apprentices.

If you have anyone interested then ask for their emails and I will get them booked onto Eventbirte as a funded place by CITB (if they go direct to Eventbrite they will be charged).

This is the link to Eventbrite – it has same info as attachment.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/technology-with-tradition-digital-scanning-repair-contractors-tickets-59518664929

Alan M Duffus

CITB Adviser

 

M: +44 (0)7740 073275

E:  Alan.Duffus@citb.co.uk

W: www.citb.co.uk

Twitter: @duffus_alan

Dear Employer

Construction Apprentice Recruitment 2019

 CITB Grant for taking on an apprentice has increased from 1 April 2019 to £14,500

 As a current recruiter of construction apprentices, I write to advise that we are now taking bookings for apprenticeships classes due to commence from August 2019 onwards for craft apprenticeships as below:-

• Brickwork
• Carpentry & Joinery
• Decorative Floorlaying
• Painting & Decorating
• Plastering
• Roof Slating & Tiling
• Stonemasonry
• Wall & Floor Tiling
• Wood Machining

Many classes can fill up quickly during the summer months so if you do have anyone in mind, or are looking for assistance sourcing candidates, then please do get in touch as soon as possible.  We can offer you additional funding to trial candidates that we recommend to you.

If you wish to start an apprentice prior to the commencement of formal training at college/centre then please let us know and we can discuss your options.

Below this mail is our promotional flyer outlining the benefits of recruiting an apprentice with CITB as your Managing Agency.  We offer a complete range of services including a dedicated Apprenticeships Officer who will organise sign up of your apprentice with the Scottish Qualifications Agency (SQA), regular quarterly review meetings with your apprentice both within college and on site to monitor their progress towards their qualification in their chosen trade, as well as providing support with their well-being and safe-guarding.  For you, as an employer registered with us, using CITB as your Managing Agent entitles you to automatic grant payments on sign-up of your apprentice so no additional paperwork is required after sign-up in order to receive your grants.

We can also advise you on additional funding available for training/upskilling your existing employees or grow your business through various funding streams so please get in touch if you would like to hear more on this.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely

Billy Baxter

Area Delivery Manager (Highlands, Moray and Islands)

CITB

william.baxter@citb.co.uk

CITB have just opened up a Commissioned Fund for Digital Upskilling, initially it is open for expressions of interest between 23^rd April and 18^th June.  They are running  collaboration workshops throughout  Scotland in May, these workshops are to explore ideas and to bring interested parties together who potentially may bid for this funding.  There is a workshop in Inverness  on the 30^th  May.   Further information on the funding can be found from the link below and the workshop booking via eventbrite.

https://www.citb.co.uk/levy-grants-and-funding/grants-funding/citb-commissioned-projects-fund/

Thurs 30 May 2019 10:00 – 13:00 BST

Jurys Inn, Millburn Road ,  Inverness , IV2 3TR

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/citb-commissioned-funding-digital-upskilling-tickets-60867338849

More improvements will be made to the CITB Health, safety and environment (HS&E) test on 26 June 2019. These changes are being made to make the test even more robust so that operatives can continue to be safe on the job, and know that their fellow workers are just as qualified to contribute to a safe working environment. Employers can also have the assurance that their qualified workforce is less likely to lose days to injuries on the job.

 

Click on the link below for more information.

https://www.citb.co.uk/courses-and-qualifications/hse-test-and-cards/about-hse-test/planned-changes-to-hse-test/

Click the link below for this months newsletter

 

http://cscs.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/B52C4AA0B7F811EB2540EF23F30FEDED/F034B53A37FF60336CBD507C784BD83B

We’re making funding more generous and easier to understand

You told us you want grants that are simple to understand and provide you with support throughout the apprenticeship programme.  We listened. This means from 1 April:

an increase from £10,250 to £14,500 for a four-year apprenticeship in Scotland.

For more information go to:

https://www.citb.co.uk/news-events/uk/2019/03/increase-in-grant-funding-for-apprenticeships/

HCTG will hold its bimonthly meeting & AGM on Thursday 28th February 2019 at 08:00 at Fairways, Castle Heather, Inverness, IV2 9JJ

 

All members are invited to attend, a bacon roll and refreshments supplied.

CITB’s managing agency have been contacted by one of their  2^nd year Quantity Surveyors, to date has predominately worked in an M&E environment, he is very versatile and seeking a position to complete his apprenticeship.

He may be made redundant in the coming weeks, in the event of this happening and during this unsettling period for this apprentice, he is looking for other opportunities available to him.

Please note: Should he be made redundant, Skills Development Scotland’s Adoption Grant would be available.

He is aged 20 living in Aberdeen, with family in Elgin and attending Inverness College (he still has two 3 week blocks of study remaining). He has excellent college and site reviews.

If you or any of your networks have an opening for a QS and could offer an interview, please contact my colleague Ray Skene on  (e) ray.skene@citb.co.uk, (m) 07748 146627