Industry professionals criticise 'short-sighted' decision to axe 拢250 grants for Chartered Institute of 黑洞社区 courses

A row is brewing between construction professionals and the industry's training body after grants for courses run by the Chartered Institute of 黑洞社区 were axed.

The decision is part of belt-tightening programme introduced by CITB-ConstructionSkills after it paid out 拢176m last year in grants to 23,000 construction firms.

It has to make up a 拢13m shortfall in income and has now decided to cut the 拢250 grants for courses run by the CIOB.

Explaining the decision, Chris Jones, the chair of the Grants Working Party, said: 鈥淭he record numbers of grant claims for 2008 mean we needed to take a serious look at the grants that we can provide. It is crucial that we continue to provide grants for apprenticeships and for new entrants.鈥�

But CIOB chief executive Chris Blythe said the move was 鈥渟hort-sighted鈥� and added: 鈥淲hat these changes will do is hold back experienced workers and deny them the opportunity to progress their career in construction.

鈥淚t is clear from their announcement that CITB has an emphasis on craft and apprenticeship levels and is undervaluing the professional and management occupations despite the amount of levy collected from that section of the workforce.鈥�

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