Home | Knowledge Hub | News & Insights | The OM Group: A Human-First Approach to Industry Progress

  Damini Sharma  |   7th March 2025 |   5 mins

At The OM Group, everything we do centres on a simple but powerful principle: people come first. Our day-to-day work focuses on supporting the construction industry with a human-centric lens, ensuring that every learner, trainer, employer, client, and authority feels empowered and heard. We pride ourselves on putting individuals at the heart of our programmes and services, which is why we’re so excited about CITB’s new 2025-2029 strategy. It’s a plan that recognises people as the foundation of industry growth and truly aligns with the values we hold at The OM Group.

Recently, two of our colleagues attended the CITB conference in Wales, while some of us were in London for the CITB event there as well, gaining first-hand insights into the strategy. We’re committed to standing alongside CITB and the wider industry to make this vision a reality – and here’s why.

CITB’s 2025-2029 Strategy: A Comprehensive Look

CITB’s latest strategic plan sets out an ambitious roadmap for the construction industry, focusing on the people who power it. Below is a detailed breakdown of the key elements with our perspective, showing how this approach can benefit everyone involved – from learners to employers, and from training providers to regulators.

1. A Clear Direction and Purpose

• Vision: CITB is crystal clear that growing and developing a skilled workforce is essential for the construction industry’s future. They plan to remove barriers, build confidence in training, and create a culture that retains and supports talent.

• Human-First Priority: At its heart, the strategy emphasises empowering individuals. By simplifying processes and ensuring people have access to the right training and qualifications, CITB aims to improve quality of life and career prospects for those working, or looking to work, in construction

Why this matters for The OM Group:

We work directly with employers, government bodies, local authorities, and clients who are passionate about taking care of their workforce. CITB’s direction supports our mission to ensure training is not only accessible but truly meaningful for every learner.

2. Improving Access to Quality Training

• Training Provider Network: CITB plans to develop a national network of high-quality training providers. This will include a vetted directory of courses, making it simpler for individuals and organisations to find the right training, no matter where they are in the UK.

• Flexibility and Alternative Routes: Recognising that a one-size-fits-all model doesn’t work for everyone, CITB aims to introduce additional routes to competence. From new qualifications to blended learning options, the focus is on giving people more ways to attain and prove their skills.

Why this matters for The OM Group:

As a training provider and an industry practitioner, we’ve seen how crucial it is to offer flexible learning opportunities. Being part of a recognised, quality-assured network will help us reach more people and provide the training they need in ways that fit their lives.

3. Building Capacity and Retaining Talent

• Trainer and Assessor Support: There is a recognised shortage of experienced trainers and assessors, and CITB is tackling this head-on. They’re rolling out free CPD (Continuing Professional Development) resources and exploring the “dual professional” model, which encourages skilled tradespeople to split their time between on-site work and teaching.

• Trainee Retention: CITB wants to see more individuals join, stay and go on to thrive in the industry. Strategies to improve retention rates include enhanced support services, mentoring, and forging closer links between training providers and local employers.

Why this matters for The OM Group:

We see first-hand how important it is to have experienced trainers who remain active in their fields. When learners see instructors who also work on-site, they trust the lessons are rooted in real-world conditions. By supporting trainers and coaches, CITB is making sure that the industry can sustain high-quality training over the long term.

4. Transparent and Collaborative Funding

• Funding Simplification: CITB is taking steps to simplify funding. This means clearer guidelines, faster approvals, and less red tape for training providers and employers.

• Employer Engagement: Part of the plan involves engaging employers more proactively. This includes listening to feedback about where funding is most needed and ensuring grants and financial support reach the right projects and training programmes.

Why this matters for The OM Group:

We often collaborate with employers who are keen to invest in their teams but get stuck in the complexity of grants and claims. CITB’s focus on transparency will help streamline that process, making it easier to run effective training programmes that directly address skills gaps.

5. Focus on Future Skills

• Emerging Needs: From modern building safety standards to energy efficiency and net-zero targets, CITB recognises the growing importance of equipping workers with future-focused skill sets.

• Working with Governments: CITB is partnering with devolved governments across the UK to align strategies, ensuring that each region’s unique needs (like decarbonisation or major infrastructure projects) are addressed.

• Young Talent Pipeline: A significant part of the strategy is attracting and retaining younger workers and those new to the sector, bridging the gap between education and the workplace.

Why this matters for The OM Group:

As we work with various local authorities and clients, we’ve witnessed how quickly the industry is evolving. The push toward sustainable building and advanced technology requires up-to-date training solutions that keep pace with innovation. CITB’s future-facing approach ensures we’re not just solving immediate skills shortages but also preparing the workforce for what’s next.

6. Innovation in Delivery

• Pilot Projects: CITB is willing to invest in new ideas and methodologies, such as involving semi-retired tradespeople and digital learning tools to increase capacity.

• Evidence-Based Decisions: Another highlight is CITB’s commitment to data-driven insights, helping to identify emerging skills gaps sooner and tailor support more effectively.

Why this matters for The OM Group:

We appreciate the flexibility CITB is showing in responding to evolving industry needs. Being open to new tools and methods (like VR training simulations, micro-credentialing, and mixed-reality site tours) means we can offer cutting-edge experiences for learners. It’s about blending tradition with innovation, ensuring training remains accessible and relevant.

How CITB’s Strategy Addresses Key Industry Challenges

Beyond its core pillars, CITB’s 2025-2029 strategy offers solutions for some of the industry’s most pressing challenges – ranging from recruitment and retention to meeting ambitious government targets.

1. Boosting Productivity

Skill Development: By streamlining access to quality training, CITB helps construction firms upskill their workforce more efficiently, driving productivity on-site.

Collaboration and Innovation: Support for pilot projects and new technologies encourages more efficient methods of construction, helping businesses increase output without compromising on quality.

2. Recruitment and Retention

Addressing the Ageing Workforce: Many in the construction sector are approaching retirement age. CITB’s emphasis on flexible routes and the “dual professional” model helps attract semi-retired tradespeople back into teaching roles, passing on invaluable experience.

Engaging Younger Talent: By working closely with schools, colleges, and careers services, CITB aims to showcase construction as an exciting, viable career path – essential for bringing in the next generation of skilled workers.

3. Managing Competencies and Skills

Route to Competence: With alternative qualification pathways and blended learning, CITB ensures that workers can build and demonstrate competence in ways that suit their individual circumstances – whether they’re new entrants or experienced professionals seeking to specialise.

Data-Driven Insights: CITB’s commitment to evidence-based decisions means employers can rely on up-to-date information about skills shortages and emerging competencies, allowing them to respond proactively.

4. Meeting Government Housing Targets

Building 1.5 Million Homes: The Government’s ambitious target to build 1.5 million homes will require a large, skilled, and well-supported workforce. CITB’s drive to simplify funding and increase training capacity directly assists in ramping up labour resources quickly and effectively.

Quality and Safety Standards: By focusing on training quality and future-focused skills, CITB’s strategy ensures that new homes meet the highest safety and sustainability requirements.

5. Infrastructure Projects and UK Competitiveness

Major National Projects: From transport networks to energy infrastructures, large-scale projects demand a deep pool of skilled professionals. CITB’s emphasis on retaining talent, improving access to training, and fostering innovation is crucial for delivering these initiatives on time and on budget.

Global Standing: As highlighted by organisations like Build UK and the Federation of Master Builders, a well-trained construction workforce is vital for maintaining the UK’s reputation as a leading hub for high-quality construction and engineering services.

6. Implementing the New Building Safety Act and Associated Regulatory Framework

Arguably the Biggest Legislative Change in Over 40 Years: The Building Safety Act introduces a new regulatory framework aimed at significantly raising safety standards and accountability across the construction sector.

Preparing the Workforce: CITB’s focus on competence, transparent funding, and comprehensive training supports the industry in meeting these new legal requirements. By ensuring a skilled, well-informed workforce, the sector can adapt more seamlessly to heightened regulatory expectations and maintain public trust.

Other Opinions on the CITB Strategy:

• Federation of Master Builders (FMB): The FMB has welcomed CITB’s focus on future skills, noting that addressing emerging areas like green construction is essential for the industry’s long-term resilience.

• Build UK: Build UK has praised the streamlined approach to funding and training delivery, emphasising that efficiency and collaboration are key to overcoming the sector’s skills gap.

The OM Group’s Ongoing Commitment

As an industry practitioner actively involved with employers, CITB, clients, and regulatory bodies, The OM Group is fully committed to supporting this ambitious strategy. Our human-first approach aligns perfectly with CITB’s vision, particularly around:

1. Accessibility – We champion flexible learning pathways and practical, people-focused programmes.
2. Quality – We maintain high standards for our instructors and course content.
3. Collaboration – We believe that strong partnerships, whether with employers, authorities, other providers, or CITB itself, are the key to maximising impact.

By aligning our efforts with CITB’s 2025-2029 strategy, we hope to help build an industry that not only produces skilled workers but also ensures each person’s training experience is positive and life-changing.

Looking Ahead

After attending the recent CITB conferences in Wales and London, we can see how strongly our sector values forward-thinking collaboration. We’re proud to stand alongside CITB, demonstrating the impact of its initiatives through transparent funding, innovative pilot programmes, and accessible training that addresses genuine skills gaps. The energy and dedication we witnessed at both events make us more confident than ever that, together, we can shape a future-ready workforce capable of delivering on housing targets, major infrastructure projects, and maintaining the UK’s global competitiveness.

Read the full CITB 2025-2029 strategy here: https://www.citb.co.uk/about-citb/what-we-do/plans-and-performance/strategic-plan/

We’d love to hear your thoughts and opinions on how this strategy could shape the construction industry. If you’d like to learn more about our approach or share your own ideas, please feel free to contact us. At The OM Group, we remain dedicated to building a human-first, collaborative environment – one where everyone has the support and opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive.