As a partner in the Sector Skills Council for construction, CITB-ConstructionSkills takes the development of professionals seriously (27 March, page 13)

We will continue to provide grant funding for professionals undergoing CIOB modules if claimed through the 鈥渟hort duration鈥� or 鈥渢raining plan鈥� routes. We also provide grants for technicians, professionals and managers completing Site Safety Plus, qualifications such as degrees and those leading to membership of professional bodies, and NVQ levels four and five.

Last year, 110 claims were made for grants for CIOB modules. As an industry training board, we need to make sure we can continue to provide the grants that are in most demand from industry.

The changes to the grants scheme were determined by the Grants Scheme Working Party and the CITB-ConstructionSkills board, whose memberships include employers, federations and unions representing the entire construction workforce. The recession has forced difficult decisions to be made. However, the changes have secured the future of the grants scheme and will continue to provide help and support to employers.

Mark Farrar, chief executive, ConstructionSkills

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