Training Groups are local networks of construction employers who 'club together' and use their collective buying power to get discounted training for their workers. A group can be made up of employers in a variety of trades, or in the case of speciality training groups, members are from the same specialist construction sector or trade.
Each group normally elects a chair person to lead the group in planning and deciding what training to buy and organise for their workforce. A dedicated training officer supports the group by co-ordinating the training schedule and making course bookings.
CITB supports these Training Groups by providing a grant to subsidise some of the training costs. The group's training officer usually submits a claim for this grant on behalf of the group - it is not paid out directly to members of the group.
Group members who are also Levy-registered can also benefit from other CITB training grants for courses or qualifications that their workers take in addition to those courses offered by the training group.
Promoting construction
Many of these CITB-supported Training Groups are also involved in helping promote construction as an attractive and fulfilling career choice in local schools and colleges, with some even producing their own careers pack for their members to use at school careers fairs.
Standards and consultation
Several of the Training Groups contribute to the continual development of a training and/or occupational standard, including trailblazer apprenticeship standards. This contribution helps make sure that training and occupational standards are up to date and reflect the needs the industry.
Find a Training Group in your area and learn about available training programmes and other group activities.