CITB Chairman reappointed for another term

James Wates to continue in role until 2018 after reappointment.

Leading industrial training board for the construction industry, the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has today announced that James Wates CBE has been reappointed as Chairman.

Appointed by Skills Minister Nick Boles, James continues in a role that he has served with distinction since April 2010, and has been part of the Board since October 2002.

In the past few years, CITB has been altered significantly and now boasts a smaller yet even more diverse Board of trustees.

The beginning of this year saw seven new CITB trustees appointed and a new Council launched.

These changes were made to give James a better platform from which to address the differing skills needs throughout the construction industry and he spoke about his plans for the future.

He said: “I’m delighted to be continuing as Chairman of CITB. This is an exciting time for construction and I’m proud to lead an organisation with such an important role in ensuring that the industry has the skilled workforce it needs.

“CITB will deliver on its promise to the industry to become more efficient and effective. We’ll work with the sector on making sure that employer funding supports the right skills, that training providers meet industry needs and that information about opportunities in construction is easy to access.

“We’ll continue to deliver on the shared ambition to deliver significantly more apprenticeships.

“But this is not just about skills for young people. We need to change our proposition as an industry and think about training and career pathways for the whole of the workforce – and that’s what industry wants and needs.”

Having been involved in the construction sector throughout the entirety of his career, James brings a great level of gravitas and experience to the position.

After joining Wates as a management trainee, he quickly rose through the ranks before 1989 saw his appointment as a General Manager.

Within just eight years, James was part of the Board at Wates, where he is now the Chairman as well.

As well as his positions as Chair of Wates and CITB respectively, James chairs the UK Contractors Group, the Building Research Establishment Trust, the Prince’s Trust Built Environment Leadership Group, is Vice Chairman of Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People and is a member of CBI Construction Council.

The current appointment as Chairman runs until 2018.

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