CITB Helps the FIR Steering Group Continue to Develop the Tools the Industry Needs

Recently, CITB has given the green light to its largest ever initiative to make the UK construction industry a more inclusive place to work.
Over the next five years the cross-industry Fairness, Inclusion and Respect programme will invest £1.5 million, including £750,000 of support from CITB, in activities to help make the sector a more attractive place to work in for people of all backgrounds.

The funding will be used to grow a network of 500 ambassadors who will promote fairness, inclusion and respect in  the workplace. An inclusive leadership programme will help ensure that change is driven from the top of businesses,  while e-learning and workshops will be available to support companies to become more inclusive.

The programme is the third phase of Fairness, Inclusion and Respect work. Since 2015 a group of clients, contractors and industry bodies have developed a number of high quality resources and workshops explaining the principles of Fairness Inclusion and Respect.

The FIR Toolkit, aimed as SME contractors, hosted on the Supply Chain Sustainability  School’s website, comprises e-learning programmes, toolbox talks and a resource library. All are freely available to
any individual or company that wishes to use them.

Sarah Beale, Chief Executive of CITB, said: “Our industry is facing skills challenges due to a strong pipeline of work alongside external factors like Brexit and an ageing workforce, so it’s vital that we widen the talent pool. This initiative will help employers ensure that their work places are open to people from all backgrounds, bringing benefits like increased recruitment and productivity to the whole industry.”