The Department for the Economy has launched a recruitment drive to fill four vacancies on the board of the Construction Industry Training Board Northern Ireland (CITB NI), the body responsible for shaping skills policy and distributing training grants across Northern Ireland’s construction sector. The appointments come at a critical time for an industry facing acute labour shortages, with demand for skilled workers continuing to outpace supply across residential, infrastructure, and commercial projects.
CITB NI operates as a non-departmental public body under the Department for the Economy’s sponsorship, generating its own income through an annual statutory levy on construction employers with wage bills exceeding £80,000. It is the only remaining statutory training board in Northern Ireland, with a mandate to encourage training for those employed or intending to be employed in the construction industry.
Four Board Vacancies Open
The department is seeking to appoint two employer representatives and two employee representatives to serve three-year terms beginning in September 2026. The deadline for applications is 12 noon on Friday 29 May 2026, with late applications not accepted.
According to the announcement, successful candidates will be expected to commit approximately 15 days per year to participate in sub-committees and events, in addition to the six annual board meetings. The posts carry daily remuneration rates of £92.29 for duties lasting under four hours, and £180.00 for duties exceeding four hours. The department also confirms that “all reasonable receipted dependent carer expenses will also be reimbursed where applicable.”
Diversity and Guaranteed Interview Scheme
The recruitment explicitly targets under-represented groups, with the department stating that “women, people with a disability, those from minority ethnic groups, people under 40 and people with a community, voluntary or rural background are currently under-represented on Boards.”
The department confirms it is “operating the Guaranteed Interview Scheme for applicants with a disability.” Under this scheme, disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria are guaranteed an interview without additional shortlisting, though appointments remain merit-based.
Current Leadership and Governance Context
The appointments will join a board currently chaired by Noel Brady, who was reappointed by Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald in April 2025 for a further three-year term beginning 18 July 2025. The board also includes education representatives Dorothy McKee and Aidan Sloane, who were reappointed in April 2025, alongside employer representatives including Geraldine Gordon, Julie McKeown, and Duane McCreadie.
CITB NI’s governance structure places it at the centre of efforts to address Northern Ireland’s construction skills gap. Recent industry analysis indicates that across Ireland, approximately 70,000 additional construction workers are needed by 2030 to meet housing and infrastructure targets, with particular shortages in craft trades such as carpentry, electrical work, and plastering.
Omissions and Unclear Details
While the announcement outlines the broad categories of representation sought, it offers limited detail regarding the specific skills or experience required from candidates. The department notes only that applicants should bring “a range of skills and experience to the role,” without specifying whether expertise in training delivery, workforce development, or financial oversight of levy funds is prioritised.
Additionally, the press release does not clarify how these four new appointments will affect the overall size and composition of the board, nor does it address how the new members will contribute to the organisation’s strategic response to the ongoing skills crisis.
Questions for Consideration
- How will the new board members ensure that CITB NI’s grant funding priorities align with the most acute skills shortages, particularly in craft trades versus professional disciplines?
- Given that women represent only 9-10% of the construction workforce nationally, what specific measures will be taken beyond the general welcome for applications to ensure gender diversity on the board?
- With the construction industry increasingly requiring digital and sustainability competencies, will the board composition reflect expertise in modern methods of construction and green building technologies?
- How will the remuneration structure, which offers £180 per day for longer commitments, compete with private sector board rates to attract senior industry figures?
How to Apply
Interested candidates can download or request an application pack from the Department for the Economy’s public appointments page or by emailing [email protected] or telephoning 028 9052 9282/028 9052 9348.
The appointments will be made in accordance with the Code of Practice issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland, with all appointments made on merit and political activity playing no part in the selection process.