ConstructionSkills Defends Levy After Campaigns For Removal

The chairman of CITB-ConstructionSkills, James Wates, has written to consensus trade federations, of which the BWF is one, in response to two campaigns calling for the scrapping of the levy/grant system. In his letter, he highlights the benefits to the industry of maintaining the levy and the consequences should the levy be withdrawn. This follows two campaigns calling for the removal of the levy from the Federation of Plastering and Drywall Contactors’ (FPDC) and an anonymous proposal on the Government’s spending challenge website. The BWF is considered a consensus federation because it endorses the levy/grant system due to the huge benefits that the membership gains from its existence. In fact, figures from ConstructionSkills show that BWF members get the most ‘value for money’ out of the system than any other area of construction. The letter also outlines how ConstructionSkills has streamlined itself to ensure that every penny is accounted for and used efficiently for the good of the industry, but stresses that the levy collected is not used to fund any of the organisational running costs except the administration of the levy collection and grant distribution (roughly 3m) – all other funds goes back to employers to fund training. You can download the full letter from James Wates below: Page 1
Page 2 If you would like more information on how you can get the most out of the levy/grant system, visit the page on the ConstructionSkills website.