Equans to drive smarter construction training

A UK-wide construction initiative is set to tackle rising costs and boost quality through a new digital learning platform.

Global regeneration specialist Equans has secured £193,000 in Industry Impact Funding from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) to create a technology-driven training programme. 

Developed in partnership with Northumberland-based tech firm Tribuco, bosses say the platform will deliver bite-sized learning resources designed to close skills gaps, raise workmanship standards and improve productivity across the industry.

They add that the programme will feature animations, videos and guides accessible via the Tribuco app, as well as being shared through the Supply Chain Sustainability School and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) Academy, which will host the resources on its academy platform and promote them across its membership.

By targeting key areas such as retrofit, insulation, cladding, roofing and building repair, the content will support the transition to net-zero while helping companies meet stricter workforce competence standards under the Building Safety Act.

Laura Wilson, learning and development manager at Equans UK & Ireland, said: “This mobile-first approach transforms how we build competence across our workforce, getting new workers site-ready faster while keeping experienced teams at the top of their game.  

“By delivering free, micro-video guides that align with national policy priorities, the initiative is designed to benefit not just participating firms but the wider construction workforce – helping to raise standards, reduce rework, and accelerate housing delivery in a compliant and sustainable way.”

Adrian Montague, director of the CIOB Academy, added: “Maintaining quality and productivity has always been a challenge and this innovative approach to these issues will be most welcome. 

“The learning materials proposed in this initiative will be of great value to the CIOB membership, and we have great confidence in the standards that will be delivered.”

With the construction sector losing an estimated £21 billion annually due to poor workmanship, the initiative aims to provide contractors and supply chain firms with a practical tool to demonstrate competence while driving industry-wide improvement.

Research carried out by Equans highlighted that existing tools often focused on snagging issues after they occurred, rather than proactive training. 

And pilot projects using the new approach showed significant improvements in quality scores when targeted learning was introduced early.

Ivan Carr, chief executive of Tribuco, added: “As someone who has worked in construction for over thirty-five years, I know how hard it is to hit quality and productivity targets consistently. 

“Most businesses are still operating with outdated quality assurance frameworks that weren’t designed for today's workforce.

“These antiquated systems lead to many businesses struggling with margin erosion, jumping from one reactive fix to another. 

“The CITB Impact Fund is ideally suited for initiatives like this because it's designed to benefit not just participating firms, but the wider construction workforce – helping to raise standards and accelerate productivity in a compliant and sustainable way.”

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