Novus director joins CITB board to help guide future of industry’s training

Sophie Seddon, people and culture director at Novus, has been appointed a board trustee at the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) in a role that will see her play a part in future-proofing the sector and making it more inclusive.

Shaping future training schemes

She will be using her experience, both within the industry and after more than 10 years at Novus, to help shape and inform future training schemes.

Growing the use of new technology, improving sustainability and encouraging inclusivity within the construction industry.

Novus offers numerous routes to help young people kick-start their careers in construction, from a range of apprenticeship opportunities to its graduate training programme, helping tackle the skills shortage felt across the industry’s talent pool.

To date, the business has trained 70 apprentices.

Construction Industry Training Board (CITB)

The CITB is the construction industry’s training board for England, Wales and Scotland.

It provides knowledge, research and insight to help inform training and apprenticeship schemes across the industry.

The CITB also works with business leaders from across a range of different subsectors to help inform and guide its programmes.

Tony Elliott, Group HR Director at Robertson Group, has also joined the board.

Sophie Seddon, people and culture director at Novus, said:

“The CITB plays an invaluable role in the training and development of the construction industry’s talent of tomorrow.”

“To join the board and help guide its future direction is an honour and a challenge that I’m looking forward to getting stuck into.”

“I’m aware from my own experience that more can be done to help make the industry more inclusive, tech-savvy and sustainable and I’m looking forward to ensuring these themes are prevalent in our future work.”

Peter Lauener, Chair of the CITB Board, said:

“I’m delighted to welcome two extremely talented people to our Board.”

“We need a diverse range of talent, in terms of skills, experience and personal background, and I’m sure Sophie will strengthen our decision-making at this critical time.”

“With the challenges we face through Covid-19, and with a new CITB Strategic Plan in development, she will play a leading role in ensuring there is a strong skills-based recovery for construction.”