The new service will feature on CITB’s one-stop-shop careers site Go Construct. With more than 2.5 million unique users visiting the site since its launch in September 2015, CITB is keen to help more construction employers tap into this reservoir of potential recruits.  

Construction companies are also being urged to add their apprenticeships vacancies to the three GB Governments’ national apprenticeships services so they can be offered to potential applicants using Go Construct. 

Go Construct directs aspiring apprentices to find apprenticeships on the Scottish Government website, but not all vacancies are posted there, with some employers using informal recruitment techniques such as word of mouth.  

Sarah Beale, CITB chief executive, said: “Go Construct was built in response to industry telling us that an information portal for careers was needed. We’re now acting on further feedback from employers, to offer the millions of people who have visited the site the ability to see more and more vacancies through the three governments’ national apprenticeships services. 

“We’ll also be developing a feature for work experience opportunities too, to increase the supply of potential industry recruits to employers. We’re determined to build on our high-quality information portal with a full signposting service to link construction employers with the workers they need.”

In January nearly 2,000 people clicked through from Go Construct to external vacancies sites such as the National Apprenticeship Service, up from 1,504 in January last year. CITB welcomes this progress and is committed to seeing it rise much further.  

Go Construct was developed after feedback from more than 400 construction employers, and guides visitors through the different trades, detailing likely salaries and qualifications required and providing help, support and information to employers, careers advisors to young people and their parents.

The website is one part of a framework of initiatives to attract new recruits and apprentices to industry, through schemes such as the Construction Skills Fund; to support employers to take them on, including SMEs, with increased grant funding; and to help learners gain the vital work experience they need to enter employment in industry with pilots like Brickwork Academy.

Meanwhile, construction employers are being invited to attend the latest roadshows to shape how CITB serves industry and meets employers’ training priorities.

So far more than 900 people have registered to attend one of the 27 events taking place all over the country during March, April and May. 

Based on early registration surveys, employers have chosen the topics most important to them and which will feature on every roadshow agenda.

These include:

• Grants and funding available for your business
• Apprenticeships
• CITB Levy 2021-23
• CITB update
• The Training Directory and Training Register

Feedback from the roadshows that took place last autumn informed the structure of the events, so there will more time to speak to CITB representatives and other local employers.

Mark Noonan, CITB industry relations director, said: “The roadshows are an important way for employers to discuss their skills needs and local training issues with us and among each other. I would strongly urge attendance, as the training market must deliver for industry at this critical time.”

The Scottish dates and venues are as follows: 

• 24 March - Glasgow 
• 25 March – Edinburgh 

To book your place at an employer roadshow please visit the registration website.