But the opposition looks likely to be in vain after Build UK, CECA and the FMB all came down in favour of the CITB retaining its levy raising powers for another three years.

Members of FIS voted 60% to 40% to reject the CITB levy proposal.

Chief executive David Frise said: “SMEs in particular are not engaging effectively with training and skills because of the complexity of the grant system and its perceived cost.

“On average, our members receive 35p back in grant for every pound in levy paid.

“It’s not surprising, therefore, that members do not see a benefit in continuing with the CITB levy system.”

The no vote was overwhelming north of the border from the Scottish Building Federation and the Scottish Decorators’ Federation.

More than two thirds of SBF members voted against the CITB and 89% of SDF members.

Scottish Building Federation Managing Director Vaughan Hart said: “Time and again, levy payers cited the recent CITB imposed deregulation and dilution of Scotland’s proud craft apprenticeships as a symptom of the systematic failure and lack of transparency in CITB’s current governance and operational arrangements.”I

Ian Rogers, Chief Executive of the Scottish Decorators’ Federation added: “This overwhelming vote against consensus shows the level of dissatisfaction with CITB in Scotland.

“The way they have conducted themselves recently over qualifications and standards and their treatment of the Scottish Registration bodies has left many levy payers appalled.