The CIOB achieved a 100% increase in its press mentions in 2005 on the previous year.

Of these, 51% were in the trade press, 48% in regional papers and 1% in the national press. The figures are revealed in an internal report which also shows that CIOB has become the leading institutional voice on skills shortages and education.

Press and communications manager Saul Townsend said the CIOB was committed to getting even more publicity: "This year we have received coverage in many nationals including the FT, The Sun, the Independent and the Sunday Telegraph. On the broadcast front we were featured on Sky News last month talking about key issues like sustainability and climate change."