Consultant Mark Farmer started his analysis of the effectiveness of the CITB and its sister body the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board nearly two years ago.

He has now recommended that the two bodies should be merged amid the need for a “fundamental reset” of training but that the industry levy should continue.

The government immediately dismissed the calls for a merger.

One contractor said: “What a total waste of time.

“Another couple of years talking about the skills crisis while not actually doing anything about it.”

Tim Balcon, CEO of CITB said: “We must move at pace to work together to tackle the joint needs of industry without the delay and disruption that legislative or structural changes would surely bring and that would inevitably be detrimental to industry success.

“We need to be laser-focused on addressing industry needs by providing standardised levels of competence, alternative routes into industry and making it easier and cheaper to access high-quality training.”

You can read the full 211-page report here.