April 2026
The ECIA Conference in May will bring together industry leaders at a pivotal moment for the engineering construction sector. This year, the ECIA has invited both the ECITB and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to host a dedicated session on the Government’s consultation regarding the proposed merger of the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB).
During the event, the DWP will outline the consultation and answer employers’ questions. Because this proposal, if implemented, could significantly affect ECIA member businesses, the ECITB has published an informative article to help organisations prepare. It explains the rationale behind the reforms, the similarities and differences between the two ITBs, and the potential risks and implications of forming a single training board.
The following is a concise summary of information to support members ahead of the conference.
The UK Government has launched a major consultation (23 March–14 June 2026) on whether the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) should merge into a single organisation. If you work in engineering construction, as an employer, provider, union or association, this proposal directly affects you.
Why the Reform Is Being Considered
Both ITBs were created to support workforce development in their sectors. Despite serving different industries, they face similar challenges:
- Persistent skills shortages
- An ageing workforce
- Difficulty attracting new entrants
- Retention and diversity issues
- The need for enough skilled workers to deliver major national infrastructure and energy projects
An independent review in 2025 recommended merging the two bodies to strengthen strategic planning and reduce duplication. The government is now seeking industry views before deciding whether to proceed.
What a Single ITB Could Achieve
The Government argues that a combined organisation could:
- Take a more strategic, joined‑up approach to skills planning
- Pool data, insights and resources
- Provide a stronger, unified voice to the government and regions
- Improve efficiency and value for money
- Retain sector‑specific expertise while offering clearer leadership across the system
The aim is to support economic growth by improving the impact and clarity of skills development.
Potential Benefits
A merged ITB could offer:
- Greater capacity to influence the skills system
- Stronger labour market intelligence
- More flexible and portable skills pathways
- Better alignment of training with major infrastructure needs
- More strategic use of levy funding
- Improved workforce resilience and productivity
How the Two Organisations Differ
While CITB and ECITB share core functions—labour market intelligence, grants, standards development, and training support—they operate at very different scales.
CITB:
- Around 69,000 registered establishments
- Covers broad construction sectors (building, civil engineering, roofing, interiors, etc.)
- Raises ~£228m annually through its levy
- Operates the National Construction College
ECITB:
- 297 registered establishments
- Serves specialist engineering construction sectors (energy, nuclear, chemicals, offshore, etc.)
- Raises ~£35m annually
- Acts as an awarding organisation and licenses training in the UK and internationally
These differences mean any merger must carefully consider how both industries’ needs are represented.
Risks to Consider
The consultation highlights several challenges:
- Aligning two very different levy systems into a single model
- Achieving consensus across a diverse employer base
- Ensuring smaller but critical sectors—like engineering construction—retain influence
- Managing the financial and operational costs of transition
Proposed mitigations include ensuring broad board representation and safeguarding the interests of all sectors.
How to Respond
The Government is actively seeking views from employers, providers and industry bodies. A decision is expected in Autumn 2026. If approved, further consultations would follow, with a new single ITB potentially established by 2028. This is a key moment to shape the future of skills development in your sector. Responses are open until 14 June 2026.
Read the full ECITB post:
Industry training board reform: what the consultation means for you