The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is urging Welsh construction employers to sign up for its Levy Consensus consultation to provide their opinions on the upcoming draft Levy Proposals.
CITB has announced that its consultation with the construction industry on the draft Levy Proposals for 2026 – 29 ahead of Consensus next year will run until 24 October.
During this four-week engagement period, CITB will host a series of webinars for construction employers across Great Britain, providing information on the draft Levy Proposals and seeking their ideas.
These sessions will be a chance for in scope, active registered CITB employers in Wales, England and Scotland to share their feedback on the draft Levy Proposals. Feedback from the consultation will inform the development of the final Levy Proposals.
The Levy plays a vital role in investing in the British construction industry, ensuring the development of a skilled workforce to meet the sector’s current and future demands.
Recent research from CITB’s Construction Skills Network (CSN) 2024-28 report reveals construction output is set to rise by 1.2% annually between now and 2028 in Wales, and 11,000 extra workers (2,200 a year) are needed in order to meet the continued construction growth expected over the next five years. The initial demand in Wales will be for repair and maintenance, with other future opportunities in new work across infrastructure, public non-housing, public housing and private housing.
Usually undertaken every three years, Consensus is the process through which CITB seeks Levy-paying employers’ views and agreement on its plans for generating the Levy and the skills and training this will deliver to the industry. CITB’s core focus for the 2026-29 draft Levy Proposals being shared in September is to ensure that the Levy exemption and reduction thresholds remain current and appropriate.
Feedback gathered during the consultation will be collated for the Levy Strategy Committee – an independent group of industry representatives and external specialists – which will provide guidance and recommendations to the CITB Board before it submits final Levy Proposals to the Secretary of State for Education.
CITB Engagement Director Wales, Julia Stevens, said:
“Consultation plays a crucial role in CITB’s Consensus process, helping to secure industry agreement for the next three-year Levy Order. It’s essential to gather input from Welsh employers to shape our proposals, ensuring that the skills and training we offer align with their needs. This, in turn, supports the development of the skilled workforce urgently needed to drive construction forward in both Wales and across Britain.
“With the upcoming sector opportunities for Welsh construction employers, it’s imperative they sign up to our webinars to have their say on proposal options. Construction is an essential sector for our regional and national economic prosperity. We anticipate continued industry growth in Wales, but we need to meet demand with more people in the workforce with the right skills.
“We are committed to ensuring that the skills system is fit for purpose to deliver on the great opportunities across Wales, now and in the future.”
All CITB active and in scope registered employers can have a say on the draft Levy Proposals during the consultation phase of Consensus. Views can be provided at the interactive webinars or through a dedicated online consultation channel, Citizen Space.
For employers in Wales, the CITB Consensus Welsh language/bilingual webinars will be held on Monday 30 September, 13:00 – 14:30 and Tuesday 22 October, 13:00 – 14:30.
For employers unable to attend CITB nation specific webinars, CITB will host a final webinar for all three nations on Thursday 24 October, 13:00 – 14:30.
