The training body said the move is required to address the sustained loss in levy income associated with the COVID-19 pandemic which will see its levy income fall by a third over three years. CITB said the proposed changes will allow it to focus expenditure on directly supporting construction employers with their key skills, training and apprenticeships needs.

The proposals would reduce the organisation’s payroll bill by 17%. They would be cost-neutral in 2020/21 if CITB implements its proposals to change its redundancy policy as announced at the start of August, thus ensuring that there would be no additional draw on levy income to fund redundancy costs.

Front-line services to construction employers will be protected, with a proportionately greater reduction in back-office and management roles. CITB said it will continue its COVID-19 approach of supporting employers over digital channels and by phone rather than relying heavily on face-to-face support.

Its two field teams – partnerships and apprenticeships – will also be amalgamated to deliver a fully joined-up service to local partners. This approach will be tailored separately to the different needs in England, Scotland and Wales.

The proposed reduction of 110 roles and the saving of £4.5m per year are in addition to the continuing implementation of the changes in CITB’s Vision 2020 programme which included the divestment of industry card schemes and the National Construction College.

Due to the pandemic, CITB announced a suspension of levy collection and a halving of next year’s payment – a reduction of £242.1m in levy income over three years. Communication with industry by the Construction Leadership Council, CITB and partners since March has shown that employers want resources put into protecting existing skills, prioritising direct employer funding and apprenticeships.

Sarah Beale, CITB chief executive, said: “CITB started the year with an agreed business plan and budget, but the impact of COVID-19 has been severe. Our response – advancing apprenticeship grants and cutting Levy bills – was critical to support construction employers during the crisis. But the combination of less industry activity and lower Levy rates has reduced our forecast income over this three year period. We have to cut back our back-office and management costs to maintain a constant focus on giving construction employers the direct support that they need.

“It is deeply distressing to have to propose losing so many valued and committed colleagues. Everyone in the CITB team has really impressed me with their incredible efforts in helping the industry adapt to our changed situation and in delivering outstanding work to our customers. I would much rather not be in this position, but our duty is to support and be accountable to the construction industry and that is where we must focus.”

CITB aims to implement the proposed changes by the end of 2020 and to continue to deliver it’s 2020/21 business plan, the Skills Stability Plan. It will launch a four-year strategic plan, covering 2021-25 in late September.