Give young people a chance

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Tell him to print off that page I put the link up of and show it to the contractor showing that the it is actually not legal for them to take citb levy
 
Thanks for the mention, @Danny. It's not something we'd have knowledge of, I'm afraid. I know when I looked at the CITB levy charges awhile back I was shocked at how much they do charge companies. I hope the benefits are worth it.

As for training, I (personally) am very skeptical about it all. Every industry is suffering (not just construction) due to self imposed regulations by people setting themselves up as the "governing body". I understand they are attempting to improve standards but from what so many people say about the training courses, I can't help but think there's a little money for old rope in there - and I have been on a few training courses myself over the years and have also delivered training (not in construction, you understand).

I actually think the education system from day one is failing. Most young adults are "cosseted" until 18/ 19 by being "made" to go to 6th form college. Government should not have got rid of technical colleges and should be encouraging more apprenticeship schemes that work.

There should be incentive for the youngster/ apprentice to complete the "on the job" training and not let his employer down... those sort of ethics don't seem to be instilled now, I don't know why?

I would urge you all to read the FAQ posted by @KevRM.

"Under the Industrial Training Act 1982 we are the only organisation authorised to levy employers in the construction industry and, the Act does not give authorisation for contractors to make deductions from any amounts paid to sub-contractors or other workers on our behalf." (Just part of what it says).

Good for you, Danny, in trying to make a difference. Best of luck!
 
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Ive dealt with a lot of subbies who's main contractor has been deducting a % of their wage to help pay their levy... My advice to the subbie, if you do not pay out more than £80.000 in wages then just go to citb and register yourself as a sole trader and u will then be eligible for the majority of grants in your 1st year without paying any levy to citb.. A few of the subbies done just that and have since grown as a company maybe only to a 3-4 man company but have taken apprentices on and we have delivered the training for 12-24 months and the subbie got all his grants... If he was paying a main contractor a % he wouldn't be entitled to grant which is a shame for a lot of these poor guys, trying to make a living and having to pay someone else's levy bill.
 
AT jones of Portsmouth are known for it, when you question them they say that it's in the contract order . We had a fight to stop them because we are registered . They even tried to say we would need to claim it back from citb .
 
simplybesty said:
AT jones of Portsmouth are known for it, when you question them they say that it's in the contract order . We had a fight to stop them because we are registered . They even tried to say we would need to claim it back from citb .
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If this was only in the last year before you submitted you levy return in august , you can still claim for the grants yourself, as long as u have the nvq certificate and/or apprenticeship paperwork then its def worth a call to citb to claim your grant, id just say your admin or accounts manager were supposed to deal with but they have left the company and your just seeing the grant hasnt been claimed..

I think a lot of main contractors are bribing subbies to pay it by saying they will pay for their nvq training. Everyone now knows the nvq is mandatory to get on site so a lot of these guys are stuck in the middle because they need their nvq but are also unsure of the citb guidelines, which do state a main contractor should not be taking % from losc.
 
I know it's difficult because you need the work and presumably if you refuse to pay the % the contractor is stopping (to cover his levy), he'll stop contracting you and get someone else. You should, however, be reporting such abuse to the CITB. They should be made to be aware of their members behaviour towards subbies. I am sure they are anyway, such corruption goes hand in hand with these "powers".

I hear other stories of these contractors claiming the grants and yet no one is being trained. It's jobs for the boys and old school tie... a lot of people up high are probably making a nice fat living.

Whilst these actions continue, the only people suffering are "the workers"... again!

If all subbies stood together, things may change. Unfortunately you can't even rely on your unions to help as they are as bad!

(Oh dear! I'll put my soap box away now, brothers! :RpS_wink:)
 
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