Good afternoon,

I hope you’re keeping well – we’re doing all we can to adapt training to respond to the current crisis to help keep you working, or be ready to return to work as soon as the national situation improves. We are also keen to provide support and opportunities for Training Providers, who are facing a significant challenge.

This is why today my update is on remote learning and how we’re enabling you to keep training by identifying as many courses as possible that can be delivered through interfaces like Teams, Skype, Zoom, WebEx and others, instead of face-to-face in classroom groups.

The first ever Site Safety Plus remote learning took place this week with at least one provider conducting a sold-out Health and Safety Awareness course delivered via video call.

Today we’ve approved delivery of SMSTS and SSSTS refresher courses through remote learning for Site Safety Plus training centres. You can find more out about this from your local centre through the SSP course locator.

We’ll also be contacting Approved Training Organisations (ATOs) soon to support them in training you remotely wherever possible. Next week we’ll publish online a directory of Short Duration Standards that can be delivered by remote learning, while a list of e-learning materials that we’ve funded industry to produce is being developed.

Since last week there have been hundreds of downloads of our new, free Health, safety and environment (HS&E) Test Lite apps (found under the ‘HS&E Test’ heading) for your own in-house interim check to see someone is safe to work on site, described by an employer as “an amazing idea – thank you!”

We also help fund the Supply Chain Sustainability School where you’ll find lots of useful online training and resources.

CITB’s COVID-19 updates page is being refreshed daily and includes information on a range of subjects including Grants, Funding and the NCC. Please click here to view it.

To read the range of support measures made available to UK businesses and employees by the UK Government please click here.

Kind wishes,

Sarah Beale
Chief Executive

Dear HICSF Members, I hope everyone is well in these trying times, please see additional information below from Liz Hunter of the HSE.

I wanted to tell members that any enforcement of measures to reduce the spread of COVID 19 will be dealt with by Highland Council officials in specific workplace premises. See links below.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2020/103/regulation/3/made

https://hpspubsrepo.blob.core.windows.net/hps-website/nss/2973/documents/1_covid-19-guidance-for-non-healthcare-settings.pdf

https://www.highland.gov.uk/coronavirus/supportforbusiness

https://www.highland.gov.uk/coronavirus

If members have any queries they should use the Highland Council COVID-19 Free Helpline on 0300 303 1362 and check the Council website for updates. For COVID 19 Concerns in HSE enforced premises please contact the Concerns Team as detailed previously.

Hope this helps and stay well everyone.

Liz Hunter

HM Inspector of Health and Safety

HSE, Longman House

28 Longman Road

Inverness, IV1 1SF

Tel: 020 3028 3369; 07771 380998

Another update that allows ‘essential and time-critical maintenance and repairs’ to all building types that are not planned/routine maintenance works that are safe to postpone.

https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-construction-sector-guidance/pages/essential-projects/

Please use this link to get a daily update about the COVID19 virus on the GOV.UK website & read the guidance for employers: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19

 https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19-social-distancing

 https://www.fsb.org.uk/campaign/covid19.html

 ttps://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/coronavirus-advice

Good afternoon,

I hope you’re keeping well – we know things are tough for you right now, which is why mental health is crucial in our industry at this time. Today my update on supporting you during the COVID-19 crisis is focused on wellbeing and providing support for the NHS.

To see the support packages CITB has already introduced for employers please visit our COVID-19 update page.

Wellbeing
CITB is funding the training of mental health first aid instructors for many in the industry. Instructors have come from employers, federations and clients. The training is provided by Mental Health First Aid England and the project has been managed on behalf of industry by the Lighthouse Club.

This is a charity dedicated to the health and wellbeing of construction workers and their families. The charity’s Construction Industry Helpline is needed now more than ever, with a recent increase in calls of at least 25%, while there’s also a helpline app you can download here.

Due to the current crisis, the charity is unable to go ahead with many national and regional events that provide other income. If you’d like to make a donation, you can do so here, with more information on the current crisis appeal here.

Support for the NHS
Construction is under extreme pressure right now, and I know you’re doing all you can to stay afloat. The NHS also needs our sector’s help. The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) in England; Industry Wales; and the Scottish Government are asking employers to provide resources, wherever possible, including:

• PPE such as masks, gowns, and sanitiser
• Accommodation
• Transport and logistics for moving goods or people
• Manufacturing equipment
• Warehouse or office space for medical use or storage
• Expert advice or consultancy in IT, manufacturing, construction, project management, procurement, or engineering.

CITB will be offering support in the form of PPE from our National Construction Colleges and potentially accommodation at Bircham Newton. If you would like to find out if or how you can help the NHS, please go to this page on the Government website and see also the National Business Response Network.

CITB’s COVID-19 updates page is being refreshed daily and includes information on a range of subjects including Grants, Funding and the NCC. Please click here to view it.

To read the range of support measures made available to UK businesses and employees by the UK Government please click here.

Kind wishes,

Sarah Beale
Chief Executive

Good afternoon,

I hope you’re keeping well.

This is my latest update on CITB’s work to support the construction industry during the COVID-19 crisis. To see the support packages CITB has already introduced for employers please visit our COVID-19 update page.

Today my key messages are on a video summary of our COVID-19 industry support packages to date and information on CITB’s Toolbox Talks.

Video Summary
Since the COVID-19 outbreak began CITB has listened to feedback from our customers and put together a support package based on the biggest concern – cash flow. To find out more on CITB’s support for customers on the Levy, Grants and Apprenticeships please watch the short video here.

Don’t forget we’ve also set up an ‘Urgent Messages’ page on our website where you can find the latest information and links. If you require more information and would like to talk to a CITB adviser in your area please click here.

Toolbox Talk for Site Operators
To help protect health on construction sites and maintain social distancing during COVID-19, CITB has produced a toolbox talk for construction workers. Topics covered include: travelling to work and what to do if someone thinks they are unwell. More details, including posters for supervisors to display in the workplace, can be found here. Further safety guidance from the Construction Leadership Council can be found here.

CITB’s COVID-19 updates page is being refreshed daily and includes information on a range of subjects including Grants, Funding and the NCC. Please click here to view it.

To read the range of support measures made available to UK businesses and employees by the UK Government please click here.

Kind wishes,

Sarah Beale
Chief Executive

Please see the attached list of online learning resources that have been created as part of CITB commissions.

E-Learning CPD Resources List for employers

Good afternoon,

I hope that, despite this extraordinary crisis that’s hit us all, you managed to get at least some rest over the weekend. This is my latest update on CITB’s work to support the construction industry during the COVID-19 crisis.

To see the support packages CITB has already introduced for employers please visit our COVID-19 update page.

Today my key messages are on online Site Safety training and a checklist for Apprentice Safety on Site.

New Online Site Safety Training
We have introduced a remote learning and examination option for our market-leading HSA (Health and Safety Awareness) course, which will be especially helpful while our Site Safety Plus training centres are not conducting face-to-face training during the COVID-19 crisis. Anyone who booked a training course can contact their training provider for information on rescheduling.

While we continue to despatch achievement certificates for Site Safety Plus courses, there may be delays in certificates reaching delegates, and we understand this will have an impact on card applications. We have agreed with CSCS that applications for a Labourer’s card can now be supported with evidence of the HSA achievement from the CITB card-checker or CITB Construction Training Register. You can find more on card schemes by following the links below.

You can keep up-to-date with health, safety and environmental awareness by accessing online training and educational material from CITB. Safety on site is also covered with tools such as risk assessments and method statements. This can all be found at CITB health & safety support materials and CITB SSP Construction scenarios, a range of interactive and relative 360° construction-based scenarios to be used in the delivery of the Site Safety Plus suite of courses. CITB has also produced seven award-winning training and awareness films to support those taking Site Safety Plus courses. These are available online at CITB SSP YouTube videos. Please visit the CSCS website regarding the actions they are taking around COVID-19 and card applications.

Apprentice Safety on Site – Top Ten Checklist
CITB has issued a site safety guide for apprentices during COVID-19. It contains measures Employer/Site Management must have in place to ensure apprentices and others are protected and to minimise the risk of spreading the infection. To download the guide please click here and click on the Apprenticeships section. For further guidance on protecting the workforce, from the Construction Leadership Council, please click here. CITB Apprentices can also contact their Apprenticeship Officer.

CITB’s COVID-19 updates page is being refreshed daily and includes information on a range of subjects including Grants, Funding and the NCC. Please click here to view it.

To read the range of support measures made available to UK businesses and employees by the UK Government please click here.

Kind wishes,

Sarah Beale
Chief Executive

Good morning all

Please see the below brief from CITB on Levy collection.

Brief about CITB decision to suspend Levy collection

• CITB’s Board met yesterday (25.3.20) to discuss issues for the construction sector coming out of the Coronavirus / Covid-19 crisis.

• CITB’s board gave final approval to suspend the issue of its levy bills, due for payment in 2020, for an initial period of three months. The bills will subsequently be issued for the full year.

• The reason for this is to provide immediate financial relief to construction employers during the present crisis, given the pressure they are under.

• In normal times CITB assesses and sends out levy bills each April in accordance with legal requirements. CITB levy bills are usually due for payment in May, but CITB will not seek collection on the suspended bills until August, or later if possible.

 Comment from Sarah Beale on the decision:

 Everyone in construction is facing extreme pressure at the moment and it’s right that we provide financial relief where we can to protect employers and ensure that the industry is as prepared as possible for the economic recovery that will come when the crisis lifts.

 CITB is reviewing all of its work to respond to the changing skills needs of industry. We are continuing to re-evaluate our services, funding and grants to adapt them to meet industry’s

changing priority needs.

•  All levy bills, raised before 2020, should have been paid by this point. Employers in arrears should contact CITB to discuss payment options.

• We are talking now to the UK Government to influence support for the construction industry, including seeking a financial grant for our work building critical industry skills.

• This information will be shared today with all colleagues, our partner organisations, federations and all of our customers. It will be shared with the construction trade media, and on CITB’s social media channels.

• Any further updates will be shared as soon as they become available.

Kind Regards

Julia

Julia Stevens

Partnership Manager (Training Groups)

This the link to where companies with 2^nd or 3^rd year apprentices can apply to have the remaining attendance grants for this year paid now in advance.

https://www.citb.co.uk/levy-grants-and-funding/grants-funding/apprenticeship-grants/apprenticeship-grant-advance/?_cldee=bWFyZ2FyZXQuZXZhbnNAY2l0Yi5jby51aw%3d%3d&recipientid=contact-b1132cd692f7e61180c7af70675a5efd-685af18f892c42b3b2842d474b907e7f&esid=45a0c006-906e-ea11-a811-000d3ab409ea#

Good evening,

I hope you’re keeping well.

This is my latest update on CITB’s work to support the construction industry during the COVID-19 crisis. To see the support packages CITB has already introduced for employers please visit our COVID-19 update page.

Today my key message is on the CITB’s decision to suspend industry levy collection.

CITB’s board met yesterday (March 25) and gave final approval to suspend the issue of its levy bills, due for payment in 2020, for an initial period of three months.

The bills will subsequently be issued for the full year. The delay will provide immediate financial relief to construction employers during the coronavirus crisis. In normal times CITB assesses and sends out levy bills each April in accordance with legal requirements. CITB levy bills are usually due for payment in May, but CITB will not seek collection on the suspended bills until August, or later if possible.

Everyone in construction is facing extreme pressure at the moment and it’s right that we provide the financial relief we can to protect employers and ensure that the industry is as prepared as possible for the economic recovery that will come when the crisis lifts.

CITB is reviewing all of its work to respond to the rapidly changing skills needs of industry. We are continuing to re-evaluate our services, funding and grants to adapt them to meet industry’s changing priority needs.

CITB will provide employers with further detail as soon as it can. We understood the need to provide early information, even before all details are available.

Notes
All levy bills, raised before 2020, should have been paid by this point. Employers in arears should contact CITB to discuss payment options.

We are talking now to the UK Government to influence support for the construction industry, including seeking a financial grant for our work building critical industry skills.

To see my video explaining CITB’s suspension of levy collection please click here.

CITB’s COVID-19 updates page is being refreshed daily and includes information on a range of subjects including Grants, Funding and the NCC. Please click here to view it.

To read the range of support measures made available to UK businesses and employees by the UK Government please click here.

Kind wishes,

Sarah Beale
Chief Executive

Good evening,

I hope you’re keeping well under the extreme circumstances we find ourselves in.

As you know, I am issuing daily updates on CITB’s work to support the construction industry during the COVID-19 crisis. To see the support packages CITB has already introduced for employers please visit this link on our COVID-19 update page.

Today my key messages are on how employers can claim apprenticeship grants in advance and sharing signposting information for employers.

Claiming Apprenticeship Grants in Advance
As announced, CITB is making available advanced payment of apprenticeship attendance grants for apprentices in their second and third year of apprenticeship programmes (full press release here).

The payments will be available from 6 April for apprentices already receiving CITB grant support and who are currently in the second or third year of their apprenticeship for the remainder of the year.

To request the advance grant payment please register your details on the form here.

Signposting Information for Employers
UK Government and Build UK have made useful information available for employers.

To access the Government page please click here. To see Build UK’s signposting information page please click here.

Finally, a CITB Board meeting will take place this evening, we will update you with news from the meeting during this week.

CITB’s COVID-19 updates page is being refreshed daily and includes information on a range of subjects including Grants, Funding and the NCC. Please click here to view it.

To read the range of support measures made available to UK businesses and employees by the UK Government please click here.

Kind wishes,

Sarah Beale
Chief Executive