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<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\nOne contractor said: “After so much work we put into planning our training in a proactive way and being so encouraged by the CITB to apply for the range of funding , changing the rules, particularly to the S&T fund with no notice whatsoever has completely blindsided us. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n “Today we are right back to the drawing board trying limit the damage it has caused to our plans and aspirations.”<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Another added: “I can’t believe this is happening at a time when there is a shortage of people both entering and currently in the industry and when the CITB should be supporting training to ensure more skilled\/trained workers are in the industry.”<\/p>\n CITB said the the S&T fund is being terminated because it overlaps with the newer Employer Networks funding route.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n A CITB spokesperson said:\u00a0\u201cWe are changing the way funding is accessed, which will enable us to support more employers. We regularly engage with a range of employers across the industry, and one of the consistent pieces of feedback we received is to simplify our funding routes. We\u2019ve listened and these changes support a more streamlined approach.<\/p>\n \u201cEmployer Networks have proven to be very successful, supporting over 4,000 employers last year \u2013 the majority of which were SME and micro businesses. They provide bespoke, easy-to-access training and financial support for employers. Additionally, they enable CITB to be more responsive to industry needs on both regional and national levels.\u201d<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.constructionenquirer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/CE_Creagh.gif\"\/)
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