<b><b>We all know the industry is suffering from skills shortages in almost every department - but what is being done about it? Tim Palmer looks at the role of the Construction Industry Training Board and talks to housebuilders who are trying to address the talent imbalance. Are we all pulling in the right direction?</b></b><br><b>The story is the same no matter which housebuilder you speak to. Skills are in short supply. And not just on-site but at head office too. Karen Pope, Redrow HR director, says: &amp;“We&amp;’re finding that the site-based labour market is declining in numbers and also ageing. With regards to office-based staff the market is competitive at the moment with key skills highly sought after.&amp;”</b><br><b><b>an ongoing problem</b></b><br> Laing training director Mark Lunn agrees: &amp;“Our experience is that in the south east and Midlands, where we principally operate, it&amp;’s difficult to secure the right numbers of skilled craftsmen, especially with finishing skills. Moves towards refurbishment are leading to shortages of multi-skilled tradespeople; this will become a particular problem given the move into greater volumes of refurbishment. The CITB agrees this problem will be ongoing.&amp;” <p></p><p>The Construction Industry Training Board became a National Training Organisation in 1997 to ensure employees …