with Matt Knoghts, ECITB Director of Regional Operations
What does the ECITB offer in terms of training, upskill programmes, new entrant schemes and qualifications to ECIA members?
The ECITB supports employers to train and upskill their workforce to industry standards. We develop National Occupational Standards, qualifications, training standards, technical tests and licensed training programmes, all of which are delivered by quality assured training providers and centres.
We understand the hiring challenges employers face which is why almost half of the £87m committed to support industry in our current strategy was allocated to supporting new entrants. This is delivered via our apprenticeship and graduate grants, Scholarship and Work Ready programmes. Our Regional Skills Hub funding is also designed to grow new entrant numbers and boost training provider capacity in the Industrial Cluster hot spots and other major engineering construction centres of activity.
Only through bringing in new talent, training and upskilling existing workers can industry ensure it has the skilled workforce it needs both for now and the future.
What are the benefits of ECIA members using ECITB training and upskill programmes?
ECITB products and services are the only training created specifically for engineering construction. The training courses, programmes and ECITB qualifications are developed in partnership with industry to ensure they deliver what ECIA members need.
Why does the ECITB exist and how does the levy system work?
The ECITB (previously called the Engineering Industry Training Board) was established in 1964 by the Industrial Training Act and became the ECITB in 1991.
We were set up to address the market failure in training that affects the engineering construction industry due to the contractual way that it operates. We address this market failure through our levy and grant system, which is used to drive up skill levels and incentivise training that would otherwise not take place.
How can ECIA members get involved in shaping future skills?
2025 is the final year of the ECITB Leading Industry Learning strategy.
The ECITB Board has developed a draft strategic plan for 2026-30 and is seeking the views of ECIA members on this. But this is not just the ECITB’s strategy – it is the training and development strategy for the whole industry. We hosted a series of consultation workshops across all regions and nations during April and May 2025, four of which in partnership with the ECIA.
The workshop sessions were an opportunity to shape the future of skills and ensure these meet the needs of both your business and the wider industry – both for now and the future.
Skills shortages
The ECITB’s Labour Forecasting Tool predicts that the industry could need thousands of additional workers over the coming years for major projects. However, our 2024 Workforce Census highlighted that 71% of engineering construction employers are experiencing challenges in hiring workers.
Alongside the issue of companies competing to recruit from the same pool of experienced workers, we recognise that we need to increase the pool of people joining the industry, whether that be training new recruits, encouraging people to embark on a career in the industry or increasing training provider capacity to grow new entrant numbers.
That’s why almost half of the £87m committed to support industry in our strategy covering 2023 to 2025 was allocated to supporting new entrants including through our apprenticeship and graduate grants, Scholarship and Work Ready programmes.
Meanwhile, our Regional Skills Hub funding is designed to boost training provider capacity and grow new entrant numbers in the Industrial Cluster hot spots and other major engineering construction centres of activity.
Only through bringing in new talent, training and upskilling existing workers can industry benefit from the skilled workforce it needs both for now and the future.
