Skills body relicensed by government despite warning over areas for improvement

ConstructionSkills has been awarded a new five year licence to operate by the government but has been warned there are areas for improvement.

The relicensing panel recommended an overall assessment of “good” which has been accepted by the secretary of state for business, innovation and skills, Lord Mandelson.

The construction skills body participated in a relicensing process of all 25 sector skills councils across the UK. The process, which took 10 months to complete, included extensive consultation with employers and an internal audit, which was completed by the National Audit Office.

ConstructionSkills is a partnership between CITB-ConstructionSkills and CITB Northern Ireland, and the Construction Industry Council. It represents trades such as roofing, carpentry and plastering, architecture and engineering.

Michael Latham, chairman of ConstructionSkills, said: “While the renewal of our license is recognition of our hard work, we must not rest on our laurels. There is still much to achieve. The government has outlined some areas for development and has encouraged us to continue our collaborative working with professional services employers and higher education.”