East of England

What's happening in your area

CITB Employer Roadshows

Following increased concerns over the COVID-19 virus and for safety precautions, regrettably, we have decided to cancel the upcoming Employer Roadshows. We understand this will be disappointing news but the health and safety of our delegates is of the utmost importance.

Further details about an online alternative will be issued in due course.

Support to grow your business

Buckinghamshire Business First
Buckinghamshire Business First is a business-led, business-focused community for new, established and growing businesses across Buckinghamshire.

They provide members with knowledge, support and opportunities for growth. By getting involved, you join thousands of other members benefiting from their knowledge, connections, facilities, products and services.

They operate as a central information and support hub for all businesses in Buckinghamshire – advising, referring and bringing people together.

Their teams of experienced business advisors, supported by their members, partners and local authorities, are interested in your business and provide on-going, long-term support and services. Together, they create a unique and vibrant business community that you can be part of and benefit from.

Website: Buckinghamshire Business First
Tel: 01494 927130
Email: info@bbf.uk.com
Twitter: @bbfuk
Linkedin: Buckinghamshire Business First

Hertfordshire Growth Hub
The Hertfordshire Growth Hub help established businesses with real potential for growth to access the support they need to achieve even more.  Their business advisers are industry experts, ready to work with you to diagnose exactly what your business needs are and help you make it happen.  The support you'll get is powerful, targeted, impartial and completely free.

The Hertfordshire Growth Package is an expanding range of specialist business support services tailored to meet the specific needs of SMEs and entrepreneurs.

Website: Hertfordshire Growth Hub
Tel: 01707 398168
Email: enquiries@hertsgrowthhub.com
Twitter: @HertsGrowthHub
Linkedin: Hertfordshire Growth Hub

Help to train, recruit and fund your staff

Buckinghamshire College Group in partnership with Eiffage Kier
Eiffage Kier has secured CITB Construction Skills Funding to deliver construction training in Buckinghamshire & North Oxfordshire. Their target is to deliver training to 650 individuals in the locality of the HS2 central section. Training needs to be delivered by March 2020 and 30% of those trained need to go into employment.

Training will be delivered across three targeted programmes aligned to HS2 construction works, including:

• Entry into construction – inc. L1 Construction Skills, Manual Handling, Health & Safety, CSCS card (Plan to train 450 individuals through this programme).
• Plant operatives – CPCS card (Plan to train 100 individuals through this route).
• Women into Construction – focus on IEMA Institute of Environment Management & Assessment and IOSH Institute of Occupational Safety & Health (Plan to train 100 people through this route).

This is a physical course due to its plastering focus, and candidates will need to be prepared for the physicality of it. In addition, candidates need to be aware that as this is not a college, so there is no onsite provision for SEN, although they will happily accommodate a scribe or reader if they accompany the learner. Steel toe cap boots are also a requirement for attending this course.

All courses are currently running with courses being started on a monthly basis.

Buckinghamshire College Group in conjunction with Eiffage Kier have launched these new pathways into construction this month (May) with two and three week courses that are all completely free of charge. For those looking for a physical hands on role or others seeking a move into construction management, these short courses, taught either at their campuses in Aylesbury or High Wycombe, have been developed to equip applicants with the skills necessary to allow them to progress in their chosen field. 

Free CITB Construction Skills courses for all at Bucks College Group

Toolshed
The ToolShed is a growing social enterprise developed by New Meaning which is a social enterprise and behaviour change consultancy. Over the last ten years New Meaning has been a pioneer in individual attitude development, community enterprise and social innovation. New Meaning methods and approaches have directly benefited more than 3,000 people aged between 10 and 90.

ToolShed High Wycombe opened in June 2015 and over the last two years it has helped over 80 young people start a career in construction. Over 85% of graduates have progressed into work and/or further training. They came from many and varied backgrounds and they had all left school with few to no qualifications.

One hundred percent (100%) of the 19 graduates of their last group (July 2018) progressed on to: full-time work, part-time work and/or further training.

Please get in contact with Toolshed:

• If you are aged 16-24 and would like to find out more about the opportunities that they have on offer
• If your child could benefit from a holistic and alternative style of training
• If you know of a young person could benefit from an holistic and alternative style of training or what to find out more about our methods
• If you would be interested in offering work experience, recruiting our graduates or organising a fundraiser
•  If you would like to offer your time and skills.

Website: The Toolshed
Telephone: 01494 436642
Email: info@toolshedbucks.co.uk

Training groups in your area

Construction Training B&H Ltd
Construction Training B&H Ltd covers a broad range of construction employers and their training needs across Hertfordshire.

Contact: Group Training Officer (GTO) Gary Finck
Tel: 07468 690688
Email: gfinck@constructiontrainingbandh.com

Bucks Employer Group
There is a pilot Training Group in Buckinghamshire set up as the Bucks Employer Group. CITB and the Buckinghamshire Thames Valley Local Enterprise will work in partnership to engage with employers on key industry issues, raise levels of training in the area and develop new approaches to working with CITB. If you would like any information or would like to get involved, please email your local Adviser, Sarah Peace.

Your local CITB adviser

Sarah Peace
I am your local CITB trusted adviser for Bucks and Herts, building effective relationships at local levels, engaging with local decision makers, employer groups and a wide range of stakeholders to attract and support people to enter the sector and ensure the industry has the skills it needs.

Please contact me for any enquiries about skills, training, qualifications, grants, funding, careers and schools engagement:

Tel: 07557 541248
Email: sarah.peace@citb.co.uk
Twitter: @sarahpeace_CITB
Linkedin: Sarah Peace

Your local CITB apprenticeship officer

Anneli Somlo
For any enquiries about Apprenticeships, please contact your local Apprenticeship Officer, Anneli Somlo.

Tel: 07768 083882
Email: anneli.somlo@citb.co.uk

What's happening in your area

CITB Employer Roadshows

Following increased concerns over the COVID-19 virus and for safety precautions, regrettably, we have decided to cancel the upcoming Employer Roadshows. We understand this will be disappointing news but the health and safety of our delegates is of the utmost importance.

Further details about an online alternative will be issued in due course.

Support to grow your business

Businesses in Norfolk and Suffolk can access a wide range of grants and funding through New Anglia LEP. Finance support includes grants from £1,000 to £500,000 to support business development and growth. To discuss grants and finance for your business, contact the New Anglia Growth Hub for free and impartial advice. We can also offer loans to kick-start infrastructure projects through our Growing Places Fund.

New Anglia Growth Hub
Growing Places Fund

Help to train, recruit and fund your staff

The New Anglia Skills Deal Programme has supported employers, alongside training providers, to seek funding for projects which address a gap in - or barrier to accessing - training provision. Find out more about the projects funded through the Skills Deal:

New Anglia Skills Deal Programme

Sector Skills Plans will identify key priorities for each of the key growth and employment sectors in our area. The plans will identify the main skills needs of the sectors as well as a set of agreed actions to help ensure these needs are met. An evidence base/dataset upon which these plans are based are also available to view. View completed plans and evidence bases:

Sector Skills Plans

Training groups in your area

CITB supports local Construction Training Groups to help companies in the construction industry to access affordable training. Training groups are made up of companies of all sizes across various areas of construction. There are two construction training groups in New Anglia.

Norfolk Construction Training Group (NCTG)
Norfolk Construction Training Group (NCTG) is supported by CITB to help companies in the construction industry to access affordable training for their employees.  It offers members affordable training, and as discussed are able to offer your company support and guidance in accessing relevant training, and works with you to make training effective and affordable.

Website: Norfolk Construction Training Group
Contact: Samantha Thomas, Training Group Officer
Tel: 01953 600700
Email: s.thomas@nctg.org.uk

East of England Construction Training Group (EECTG)
The East of England Construction Training Group (EECTG) is supported by CITB to help companies in the construction industry to access affordable training for their employees.  It offers members affordable training, and may be able to offer your company support and guidance in accessing relevant training, and works with you to make training effective and affordable.

Website: East of England Construction Training Group
Contact: Ann Marrison  , Training Group Officer
Tel: 01953 607707 or 07919 927918
Email: ann@eectg.com

Training projects funded by CITB

The comments below are from two New Anglia employers who accessed support for training and skills developments via CITB's Skills and Training Fund.

Company based in Norwich
"The ability to examine internally has increased our operating standards, whilst ensuring a higher level of skills and knowledge...This will save the company approximately £40,000 per annum, since we are no longer relying on external companies for internal examination."

Company based in Suffolk
"CITB funding provided us with the opportunity to train and qualify our staff, in line with our sector’s regulatory demands...More staff now hold qualifications which our clients are demanding increasingly...Funding has enabled our business to pass qualification requirements to renew and win contracts, thus allowing our business to grow in key areas...The training has bridged knowledge gaps amongst staff, as training has focused on previously under skilled areas."

CITB Skills and Training fund

Your local CITB adviser

Laura McNeil
Tel: 07467 330650
Email: laura.mcneil@citb.co.uk

What's happening in your area

CITB Employer Roadshows

Following increased concerns over the COVID-19 virus and for safety precautions, regrettably, we have decided to cancel the upcoming Employer Roadshows. We understand this will be disappointing news but the health and safety of our delegates is of the utmost importance.

Further details about an online alternative will be issued in due course.

Support to grow your business

Support for businesses of all sizes in regards to Investment, Funding and Business opportunities.

Essex.gov.uk - Support for businesses

Grants, Loans and Investment for businesses across the South East for small businesses.

BEST Growth Hub

Help to train, recruit and fund your staff

Business Growth – European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
The South East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has been notionally allocated £74.1 million to deliver projects within this programme that support research and innovation. The objectives of all projects are to support SMEs and create jobs.

South East LEP - Business Support

Training groups in your area

Essex Construction Training Association

Training projects funded by CITB

CITB-funded training Hubs in Southend, Harlow and East Sussex

Your local CITB adviser

James Thomas
Tel: 07747 118839
Email: james.thomas@citb.co.uk

Your local CITB apprenticeship officer

Nikki Parsons
Tel: 07747 118839
Email: nikki.parsons@citb.co.uk

  

What's happening in your area

CITB Employer Roadshows

Following increased concerns over the COVID-19 virus and for safety precautions, regrettably, we have decided to cancel the upcoming Employer Roadshows. We understand this will be disappointing news but the health and safety of our delegates is of the utmost importance.

Further details about an online alternative will be issued in due course.

Support to grow your business

Signpost 2 Grow
Signpost 2 Grow is a growth hub that gives local businesses access to a wide range of business support, advice, grants and events aimed at helping businesses to grow and develop.

The advice and support is free to access through all stages: Starting Up, Employment, Training, and Growth.

Tel: 01480 277180
Email: hello@signpost2grow.co.uk
Website: Signpost 2 Grow  
Twitter: @Signpost2Grow
Linkedin: Signpost2grow

Help to train, recruit and fund your staff

Form The Future
This social enterprise, active across Cambridgeshire, helps schools to prepare students for work and supports businesses with educational outreach opportunities to help build their talent pipeline.

Tel: 01223 781296
Email: info@formthefuture.org.uk
Website: Form the Future

The Skills Service
This organisation, active in the Peterborough, Fenland, East Cambs and Huntingdonshire area, helps create partnerships between schools, training providers and businesses in order to develop the knowledge, aspirations and employability skills of young people.

Tel: 01733 317441
Email: info@theskillsservice.co.uk
Website: The Skills Service

Edge
Edge, active in Huntingdonshire, is an organisation which brings together local businesses, jobseekers and those looking to improve their skills, training providers and schools, directly addressing the skills and training needs of local companies.

Tel: 01480 435654
Email: info@sharperskills.co.uk
Website: Edge - Sharper skills for business and people

Training groups in your area

Convert Training
There is one construction training group in the Cambridge/Peterborough area covering a broad range of construction employers and their training needs.

Contact: Karen Gipson
Tel: 01480 400994
Website: Convert Training

Training projects funded by CITB

Pathways into Construction
The Women Into Construction organisation, together with local construction employer Hill Partnerships, was successful in securing Pathways into Construction funding. Shelley Lawrence (Cambridge Lead) is busy planning engagement with local stakeholders to encourage and deliver more women into construction roles.

Women into Construction

Employer success stories

A14 Improvement Project (2016-2020)
As work on the A14 is nearing completion, the legacy work the A14 Integrated Delivery Team (Skanska, Costain and Bafour Beatty) has delivered by working with local stakeholders, has meant that their volunteers and STEM Ambassadors, have achieved an amazing amount, engaging with over 12,600 young people in the area, at over 250 events and providing work experience and job opportunities for many young people.

Urban & Civic Training Hub (2019-2020)
Urban & Civic were successful in winning government Re-training Scheme funding (called Construction Skills Fund) to support their development at Alconbury Weald. They are delivering several courses: Insight to Construction, Explore Construction, Construction Pre-apprenticeship and Ex-forces Retraining in Construction. They aim to attract new talent into construction from the local area and train over 650 people with job placements for 30% of the trainees.

Your local CITB adviser

Jan Rejek
I have a background in business (planning, management and customer service), training and development. I have 12 years of experience with CITB, supporting employers and stakeholders increase skill levels in construction. My father owned a small construction company and I used to help him on-site and run the business, so I know the issues facing employers, particularly SMEs. I am passionate about developing individuals and businesses to maximise their potential.

Please get in touch with any enquiries about skills, training, qualifications, grants, funding, recruitment and schools engagement.

Tel: 07767 325397
Email: jan.rejek@citb.co.uk
Twitter: @janrejek_CITB
Linkedin: Jan Rejek 

Your local CITB apprenticeship officers

If you are interested in taking on an apprentice or want more information about what it entails, your local contacts are: 

Nikki Wasey
Tel: 07831 520185
Email: nikki.wasey@citb.co.uk

Lee Driver
Tel: 07788 995504
Email: lee.driver@citb.co.uk