CITB NI, the Construction Industry Training Board for Northern Ireland, is marking its 60th anniversary. Since its establishment in 1964, the organisation has been at the forefront of identifying the skills and training needs of the construction industry in Northern Ireland, driving its growth and development.

CITB NI currently supports 3,600 registered construction employers by providing training services tailored to industry needs. Last year alone, the organization allocated £2 million in training grants to various Northern Irish construction companies. Additionally, CITB NI has been instrumental in promoting construction as a rewarding career option for young people, supporting over 1,200 apprentices with apprenticeship grants in the past eight years.

With the construction industry projected to grow by 2.8% annually in Northern Ireland, an additional 5,200 workers will be needed by 2028 to meet industry demand. CITB NI aims to address this need by supporting key training initiatives and fostering the development of a skilled workforce capable of meeting the evolving requirements of the sector. These initiatives focus on upskilling the workforce, promoting diversity, and inspiring the next generation of professionals to build rewarding careers in construction.

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The 60th anniversary year also highlights CITB NI's recent successes. These include the Mobile Training Unit, which has trained over 2,000 individuals in health and safety courses. The Adopt A School initiative, which connects education and industry, currently involves 50 employers and 86 schools. The recently developed simulated construction training facility at CITB NI's Nutts Corner site offers a practical, real-life training environment to prepare individuals for the demands of the construction industry. Furthermore, the Women in Construction Summit, initiated by CITB NI's women in construction network, held its third summit in 2024, attracting over 160 delegates to discuss key industry topics such as digital technologies and the impact of AI.

CITB NI's collaborative approach to industry-driven training and skills solutions involves exploring and supporting growth opportunities while addressing emerging challenges such as an aging workforce, declining numbers of new talent, technological advancements, energy efficiency, and a net-zero carbon society. The organization has worked with industry leaders like GRAHAM, Heron Bros, and John McQuillan Contracts to develop a collective, future-focused learning strategy that addresses these challenges while considering the interests of both small and large organisations.

Celebrating CITB NI's 60th anniversary Barry Neilson OBE, Chief Executive CITB NI said: "On behalf of the team at CITB NI we thank everyone who has been on this journey with us over the years. We are delighted to mark our 60th anniversary year – it is quite an achievement. We are proud to continue to support the development of our most valuable resource - our people. As we reflect back on our key successes, we also are all too aware of the future demands on our industry, and training and development has never been as important."

Barry added: "Key areas for future development in 2024 and beyond include digital construction and new technologies, sustainability and Zero Carbon, Governmental direction and a review of training interventions to support the industry in the most efficient and effective way possible. Upskilling our existing workforce while developing new entrants equipped with the skills for both the known and unknown challenges ahead will be key and will play a central role of our future approach."

For further information on CITB NI and its services visit www.citbni.org.uk or follow CITB NI on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn #CITBNI60