As we approach the final quarter of 2024, Highland Construction Training Group (HCTG) is proud to reflect on a year of achievements. Serving the construction training needs of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, we’ve surpassed many of our targets with three months still to go. These accomplishments are a testament to the commitment of our members, the skill of our training providers, and the demand for high-quality training across the sector.

Hitting—and Exceeding—Key Milestones
1. Training Days Delivered to Small Companies
One of our primary goals this year was to ensure small construction companies had access to relevant, impactful training. The target for the year was set at 100 training days—a figure we’ve already exceeded with a total of 181 training days delivered by the end of Q3. This remarkable progress highlights the appetite for skill development and the critical role training plays in supporting these businesses.
72% of members have accessed training group support to date saving a combined total of £14k to date on the cost of courses alone.
2. Supporting Micro-Companies
Although micro-companies often face barriers to accessing training, HCTG has worked diligently to offer flexible and targeted programmes. By the end of September, we had delivered 15 training days, and while the target of 25 days may seem ambitious, our trajectory shows we are on track to meet—or exceed—it.
3. Continuous Growth Across the Year
Our quarterly analysis shows consistent growth. For example:
Q1: Training days focused heavily on foundational skills, catering to smaller groups with 188 training days delivered.
Q2: We saw steady demand in quarter 2 with 180 training days.
Q3: Continued steady performance, with a total of 109 training days delivered to date.

SHAD Bitesize
We delivered two SHAD Bitesize events to our members on Behavioural Safety and Knife Safety.  We look to deliver more of these mini events next year.  If you have ideas for topics get in touch.

Why These Achievements Matter
In the Highlands, where construction companies often operate in remote locations and face unique challenges, training isn’t just a box-ticking exercise—it’s an essential part of building resilient businesses. Our work supports companies in:
Meeting safety and compliance standards: Ensuring teams are equipped to handle site challenges safely and effectively.
Improving productivity: Upskilling workers to enhance efficiency and project outcomes.
Retaining local talent: Offering professional development that encourages individuals to build careers in the Highlands rather than seeking opportunities elsewhere.

The People Behind the Numbers
None of these achievements would be possible without the people at the heart of HCTG:
Our Training providers: Drawing on decades of experience in the industry, our trainers deliver practical, hands-on learning tailored to real-world challenges.
Our Members: From small family-run firms to larger contractors, the commitment of our member companies to upskill their workforce drives everything we do.
Our Board of Directors: A voluntary commitment from local employers to help run HCTG, bringing fresh ideas and new initiatives to members

Looking Ahead to a Strong Finish
We’re confident that the final quarter will further underscore 2024 as a great year for HCTG. By continuing to prioritise the needs of construction companies in the Highlands, we aim to build not just skills but a stronger, more resilient industry for years to come.

Join Us in Shaping the Future
Whether you’re a member of HCTG or considering joining, we invite you to be part of our journey. Let’s work together to achieve even greater success in the coming months.
Visit HCTG to explore our training programmes and discover how we can support your company’s growth.

Proudly Supporting Scotland’s Construction Industry. Together, we build the future.
 

Please see link with some important changes to CSCS Labourers Card

First CSCS Labourer Card reduced to two years | Official CSCS Website

CITB’s consultation with the construction industry on Levy Proposal options for 2026 – 29 ahead of Consensus (Consensus 2025 – CITB)

next year will run from 26 September until 24 October. During this four-week engagement period, CITB will host a series of webinars (External link – Opens in a new tab or window) .

The Consensus consultation webinars are for all CITB registered employers who are active and currently in scope, who would like to understand more about the levy proposals and the consensus process relating to the 2026 Levy Order. The webinars will cover the proposals under consideration, and you will be able to respond to the consultation at the events. Consultation feedback will be used to inform the development of the Levy Order Proposals. To attend one of our Consensus webinars to find out more about the 2026 Levy Order and how you can get involved in consultation please use the booking link here: CITB Consensus Webinars (citbevents.co.uk)

Following the success of our recent Behavioural Safety Presentation

HCTG are delighted to invite members to our SHAD Bitesize presentation on Preventing Hand Injuries.

We will have presentations from Ian Suggit – National Sales Manager, Martor Safety Knives and Rob McMillan – Regional Sales Manager, Keypoint

Come and join us for a cuppa and a bacon roll!

Places will be on a first come first served basis – please Click Here to book your places on what I am sure will be a popular event.

Please find link to CITB Business Plan – https://www.citb.co.uk/media/rwodfggl/citb-business-plan-2024-25.pdf

A big thank you to members who attended last weeks Behavioural Safety Presentation. We hope this will be the first of many so, if you have any ideas for any short Health and Safety related presentations then please get in touch.

Thank you to Robbie Piper, Regional SHE Manager, Robertson Group (Northern) for delivering this on behalf of HCTG.

The full presentation is available for download here – https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/106AUOvkTWmtpdr23YTPGxxkMdO00CXPQ?usp=sharing

CITB are actively working with employers across Scotland to identify and find training places for new start Apprentices for 2024/25 Apprenticeship Training courses and would like to ask if your company has a new start Apprentice that we might not yet be aware of that requires a training place at one of the many colleges that we work with in Scotland.

At CITB we aim to ensure that all employed Apprentices have access to training and a recognised qualification and at times this might mean that we work with you to book training both in or out with the area that your Apprentice lives and works in. CITB can offer financial support for In Scope Leviable employers and we can discuss this with you when you make contact with us.

Can I highlight the need for more Brickwork Apprentices due to current low recruitment numbers across the Moray, Grampian and the Dundee & Angus areas. Courses aren’t sustainable if numbers are low and it would be a shame if we lost that provision in any of the colleges that we work with. Please consider recruiting an Apprentice Bricklayer if you’ve the scope of work onsite.

If you’d like to talk to one of our Apprenticeship Development Officers about Apprenticeship recruitment then please reply to Mark Davidson Mark.Davidson@citb.co.uk and Ian Campbell Ian.Campbell@citb.co.uk and we can arrange for one of our Apprenticeship team to make contact with you.

HCTG would like to invite members to a Free Behavioural Safety Workshop ‘Home Safe’ on Thursday 1st August, 9.30 am at Fairways Golf Club and Restaurant.  This workshop will be presented by board member Robbie Piper from Robertson Construction Northern.  We would encourage attendance from operative through to senior management.  Attendees will receive a copy of the presentation for their own use/rebranding.  Space will be limited for what we are sure will be a popular event so early booking is advised.  Contact Debbie on info@hctg.net to secure your places.