A new scheme to upskill rainscreen façade system installers and supervisors has been launched
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has launched a £250,000 project to upskill 100 rainscreen façade system installers and 24 supervisors to accelerate remediation works required across the country.
Wigan-based 3B Training Ltd, a multi-accredited CITB Approved Training Organisation (ATO), has been awarded a two-year contract for the exclusive delivery of the pilot programme across England, Scotland, and Wales.
Responding to the UK Government’s Remediation Acceleration Plan, which outlined the need to accelerate the pace of remediation for buildings in England with unsafe cladding, CITB has been working with employers, government, and other stakeholders to put in place updated training for the inspection and installation of façades that meet improved fire safety standards. CITB’s project provides training opportunities for installers and supervisors in the rainscreen façade sector, giving them clear pathways and training standards.
Tim Balcon, Chief Executive at CITB, said: “People across the country need to feel assured that we have a competent and skilled workforce to deliver the urgently required remediation works to prevent tragedies like the Grenfell Tower fire happening again.
“Our research shows investment is needed to ensure we have the capability and competency, so we’re working with governments, industry, and the Construction Leadership Council to publish these new standards for training providers across the country and increase the number of competent installers and supervisors as quickly as possible.”
Mathew Bewley, Managing Director at 3B Training Ltd, added: “One of the key recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry was that installers of cladding systems undergo mandatory standardised training. Along with being appointed to deliver this training, we will also assemble a steering group of experts to help define the course content.
“It is a source of both enormous pride and responsibility to deliver this work, which will fulfil this recommendation and help to ensure that a tragedy like Grenfell cannot happen again.”
The UK Government has set stringent targets for the removal of unsafe materials and for the installation of improved, compliant rainscreen façade systems for high-risk buildings. The Scottish Government has also launched several schemes, providing millions in funding to accelerate the pace of building safety assessments and remediation works, and the Welsh Government has introduced its Building Safety (Wales) Bill in July 2025 with the intent of establishing clearer lines of responsibility for managing building safety risks.
A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) spokesperson said: “We’re proud to support CITB and the Industry Competence Steering Group in launching an innovative short course training programme. This initiative aims to increase the number of qualified façade installers and site supervisors, ensuring the industry has the capacity and capability to meet the targets set by the Remediation Acceleration Plan.
“We encourage industry stakeholders to take advantage of this training opportunity to support the Government's ambition of making buildings safer.”