Construction employers and trade organisations are being encouraged to join forces with education providers, digital enterprises, LEPs and management consultancies to apply for a share of a £1 million funding pot from the CITB (Construction Industry Training Board).
The CITB wants construction companies to become ‘digital organisations’ and is offering grants to boost digital transformation within the industry.
Funding bids must include at least three organisations: a project lead and two (or more) partners. However, companies can also register their interest in joining a project and the CITB will aim to find project partners for them.
The partners of a bidding group should include at least two of the following: 
The CITB said any organisation was eligible to bid for funding or to register an interest in supporting a project, from construction employers of all sizes, to digital enterprises, software developers, educational institutions, federations or trade associations, local government and/or local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) and management consultancies.
A spokesman for the CITB said: “The people who will change the face of construction need to be able to recognise the opportunity and unlock the potential that digital transformation brings.
“This commission is the first of three to help the industry embrace digital change.
CITB is inviting bids for funds to develop initiatives to help construction leaders implement digital transformation.”
Each year the CITB works with the construction industry to identify gaps and needs in the industry and then commissions projects to fill those gaps and needs.
The spokesman said digital technologies would improve efficiency and productivity, but the construction industry had lagged behind others who were now reaping the benefits of embracing digital technology.
The spokesman added: “Getting technical skills is not the issue. The main challenges are a lack of understanding of the business opportunities digital transformation brings and the leadership required to spell out why the investment is needed and to make it happen.
“Without this digital leadership, construction companies are likely to struggle to keep up with technological advances and to compete with their rivals.”
Applications for funds or to register an interest in a project must be made via the CITB website before 5pm on 18th June. More information is available online at: https://www.citb.co.uk/levy-grants-and-funding/grants-funding/citb-commissioned-projects-fund/giving-construction-leaders-skills-to-drive-digital-transformation/.
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