CONSTRUCTION firms are about to receive a financial boost from a grant scheme designed to improve their performance.

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) in the North-East is paying the grants to encourage construction companies to achieve the Investors in People (IiP) standard

Grants of up to £2,000 are being offered to businesses who commit to achieving the IiP standard, and £5,000 will be awarded to those who go on to achieve the benchmark.

A series of short breakfast seminars for companies interested in learning more about the grants and routes to achieving IiP is taking place across the region.

They are at Beamish Hall, near Stanley, County Durham, on October 8; The Bridge Inn, Ramshaw, County Durham, on October 9; Walworth Castle Hotel, Walworth, near Darlington, on October 21; The Staincliffe Hotel, in Hartlepool, on October 23; The Holiday Inn, Washington, County Durham, on November 4, and at Newcastle Falcons, Kingston Park, on November 6.

Construction companies interested in taking advantage of the grants or attending the presentations should call 0191-516 3900, or contact their nearest Business Link.