The Enquirer understands that a deal is imminent with the buyer believed to be the awarding and assessment body NOCN.

It would be the latest deal between the two after NOCN bought CSkills Awards from the CITB last year.

The Construction Plant Competence Scheme provides skills cards for plant operators and has issued more than 300,000 cards since it started in 2003.

The CITB declined to comment but said it would “make an announcement on the future ownership in due course.”