CITB have been listening to industry and have heard that their current grants and funding system is complicated and can be difficult to navigate. As a result of this, CITB are streamlining their approach to more effectively help levy-registered employers access financial support for training.
To do this CITB have reviewed their existing offer and are making changes. These changes are not removing the support offered by CITB to industry but are simplifying the way in which they are accessed, making it easier for employers.
Skills and Training fund
Currently, both Employer Networks (ENs) and the Skills & Training (S&T) fund offer funding for similar types of training, which they know can be confusing for employers navigating their options.
Listening to employer feedback, CITB are going to simplify this process and create a more efficient service, they’re moving towards a single route. From 30 September 2025, the Skills & Training fund will close, and Employer Networks will become the single channel for further developing businesses. Alongside this the grants scheme will continue to operate to support core construction training.
To ensure the most appropriate use of industry funds, applications received in September will operate under new payment terms where funding will be paid upon completion of the agreement. Any applications already agreed will be honoured.
Industry Accreditation uplift
CITB put this grant uplift in place when CLC announced the removal of the Industry Accreditation card. This was to support individuals that needed to complete qualifications to remain carded. To date they have supported over 11.5k individuals which exceeds the number expected. CITB had intended to keep this uplift in place until the end of March 2026 but to ensure most suitable use of industry funds, this uplift will be removed at the end of December 2025. Once the uplift is removed, grants to support these qualifications will return to £600.
‘Suggest a course’ initiative
Introduced to ensure CITB could get feedback from industry on what was needed, they will now be closing this initiative. ENs were established to make it easier for employers to access training, and funding and bring together employers at a local level to inform CITB on training needs. As ENs are well established, CITB do not need to duplicate these routes so closing the initiative is another way they are streamlining their offer to industry.
New short qualification grant tier
As announced recently, from September 2025 CITB will be introducing a new grant tier for some short period qualifications to ensure that CITB funding is effectively optimising impact.
For achievements from September 2025, any qualification achieved at an ‘Award’ level will receive the grant value of £240 (rather than £600).
‘Award’ level qualifications typically have a shorter duration with fewer modules to complete, and the cost to undertake this level is usually lower, therefore this is reflected in the new grant payment.
Launch of online grant portal
CITB are delighted to let you know they will shortly be introducing a new online services platform, launching on Wednesday 24 September. This is the first phase of a modernised system designed to make accessing CITB’s Grant Scheme simpler and more efficient. With the new platform, employers will be able to:
- Apply for Apprenticeship and Qualification grants online
- Track the status of grant applications
- Have greater control over online access to their account.
If you have more questions
The CITB website has been updated to reflect the information shared above, including FAQs for the S&T fund changes to support on any questions you still may have. If however you don’t find the answers you need, please contact your local Engagement Team Adviser.