What's happening in your area
Learn more about grants and funds with your local adviser Lorna Banks
A key part of my role is to ensure that all registered employers in my area are aware of the grants and funding that are available to help support you with your training plans.
With that in mind, I would like to invite you to attend a 1:1 meeting with me. These sessions can last up to one hour and are an excellent opportunity for you to see how CITB can support your business and how you can access the grants and funding that CITB offers for construction training.
If you would like to keep a preferred date and time free and book one of these 1:1 sessions below, please email me or call (details below) and let me know.
If you can't attend on any of these dates and you would still like to meet with me to discuss the possible financial support available, please get in touch and I will happily arrange a visit to your office at a convenient time for you.
If you wish to find out more about the grants and funding we offer for construction training please see: What you can get funding for
Employer surgeries are being held on the following dates:
- 7 April at The Mitchell Room, Technology Centre, Wolverhampton Science Park, Wolverhampton WV10 9RU
- 23 April at Walsall Colllege, Green Lane Campus 8:30-4.00
- 11 June at Walsall Colllege, Green Lane Campus 8:30-4.00
- 16 July at Walsall Colllege, Green Lane Campus 8:30-4.00
To book into one of the surgeries please email me: Lorna.Banks@citb.co.uk
or call me on: 07866786443
Business support services
Black Country Growth Hub
Black Country businesses can access a wide range of support and expertise to help them improve competitiveness and grow through:
- a single point of contact
- funding and finance options
- export opportunities
- innovation and product development guidance
- skills and training
- incubation/start-up support
- legal/regulatory support
- premises and relocation information
- assistance in developing your growth plan
- specialist advice and consultancy.
Contact
The region is undergoing a period of significant inward investment, with many millions of pounds being spent on a number of important infrastructure projects, including the arrival of HS2, the Midland Metro expansion and the Midland Metropolitan Hospital to name just a few.
There will be thousands of business opportunities available within the HS2 supply chain alone, with significant contracts available across all sectors. Spread over a number of years, the work will require a wide range of capabilities and will be suitable for suppliers of all sizes.
https://www.bcgrowthhub.com/supply/
Funding to help you grow
Midlands Engine Investment Fund offers four different funding options to help your business grow, ranging from small business loans to fund start-ups, to later-stage equity investment that allows established businesses to continue growing.
See MEIF Website for details
WMCA - Brownfield Land & Property Development Fund
The Brownfield Land & Property Development Fund (BLPDF) enables the unlocking of sites, remediates the industrial legacy and brings forward investable propositions. The fund is designed to regenerate brownfield sites across the WMCA’s geography, including the Black Country. Eligible projects include commercial, industrial, offices, residential, retail and leisure, with investments starting from £500k to a maximum £5m.
See Frontier Development Capital website for details
WMCA – Commercial Investment Fund
The West Midlands Combined Authority Commercial Investment Fund (WMCA CIF) supports the acceleration of commercial property developments within the West Midlands area. It is a revolving fund that aims to underpin the region’s long term growth and stability. Created by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) the fund is open to property developers within the WMCA geography, including the Black Country. Eligible projects include: commercial, light industrial and residential regeneration opportunities (residential as part of a mixed scheme), with investments from £1m to £7m.
See Frontier Development Capital website for details
Heritage Enterprise
Heritage Lottery Fund supports all kinds of projects, as long as they make a lasting difference for heritage, people and communities. Their funding is used to record the diverse stories of your community, breathe new life into a historic park, create vibrant town centres, and much more.
A range of different grant programmes is available with grants from £3,000 to over £5million.
See Heritage Fund website for details
Training groups in your area
There are two training groups at present for the Black Country:
Midlands Construction Training Group
Area coverage: Construction Employers based in the Midlands
Key contact: Debbie Westwood
Tel: 07748 300796
Emai: debbiewestwood1@outlook.com
Midlands Roof Training Group
Group Training Officer: Paul Harper
Tel: 07968 505161
Email: paul@midlandrooftraining.co.uk
Your CITB Advisor
Lorna Banks
I have always had a passion for construction, starting in my parents’ home as an inquisitive 14-year-old, 'helping' install the central heating system - I'm a great pipe bender! Having spent thirty years in Apprenticeships, Education and training, as a National Training Manager. I joined CITB in March 2017, originally as an Apprentice Officer before being promoted to the Advisor role.
My main focus is ensuring that employers know about the full range of CITB grants and funding that are on offer and how this can help businesses grow and thrive. I also support the many construction stakeholders in the region through partnerships and relationship building.
Contact me:
Your local CITB apprenticeship officer