CITB Funding: Three Routes Explained

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) provides several routes for funding and support to help construction companies enhance the skills of their workforce.

Most of the training we provide can be funded under three main routes; Achievement Grant, Skills & Training Fund and the Employer Network.

Each route offers different advantages depending on the type of training you’re planning to book. Let’s explore the options and go through examples of when each route is best suited for your specific training needs.

CITB Achievement Grant

Achievement Grants are designed to help construction employers recover a portion of their training costs. This route is available for a range of training courses that support skills development within the sector.

What You Need To Know

Eligibility: Companies must be registered with CITB and be up to date with levy payments.

Funding scope: This funding covers a range of essential trade skills, health and safety and other relevant training courses. CITB encourage employers to use a CITB Approved Training Organisation (ATO) who is approved against the relevant training standard. Visit the CITB website to learn more about claimable courses and training standards.

Eligible courses are split into three tiers, and this determines the amount of funding available per delegate. The funding tiers change periodically but currently; Tier 1 is £60, Tier 2 is £140 and Tier 3 is £240 (correct as of September 2024).

As the name suggests this grant can only be claimed for delegates who have achieved the qualification, so you’re unable to claim if the delegate doesn’t pass.

Application process: Employers pay for the training initially and are reimbursed by CITB for the relevant amount per learner after the course.

CITB Approved Training Organisations gather the relevant information from the employer and the delegate for each grant eligible course. Once the course is completed, ATO’s submit information to CITB and CITB use this to process the grant claim. There are some courses and qualifications, such as NEBOSH and NVQs, that ATO’s are unable to claim for, so employers may also need to submit a manual claim for these.

The Benefits 

• No need to pre-plan the training you require
• Most of the admin work is completed by your training provider
• Up to £240 per delegate available
• In some instances, you may be able to claim back more than the training costs you!
• 3B submits the information to CITB within 10 days of course completion
• Available to all CITB registered employers – no restrictions on company size

Here’s an example of when the CITB Achievement Grant is the best funding option available.

CITB Skills and Training Fund

The CITB Skills and Training Fund supports businesses with the financial costs associated with developing new skills within their workforce and addresses skills shortages within the construction industry.

What You Need To Know

Eligibility: It’s open to CITB-registered companies who are up to date with their Levy Returns and have 250 or fewer employees.

Funding scope: There are two funding pots available, depending on the number of employees you have. Small and micro-sized businesses with up to 99 employees can claim up to £10,000 twice per year. Medium-sized businesses with up to 250 employees can claim up to £25,000 twice per year.

The Skills and Training Fund works alongside the Achievement Grant, so the eligible courses available for funding are the same.

Application process: You must outline your training plan for the next 6 or 12 months and submit this to CITB for approval. Once approved CITB pays the agreed funding value up front – this will be the total value of the funding you’ve had agreed, minus the value of the Achievement Grant. The Achievement Grant will then be paid as outlined above once each delegate has completed the course. The 3B team are very experienced at supporting employers with Skills & Training Fund Claims, so we’d be happy to help you.

The Benefits 

• Claim up to £50,000 per year
• You receive the majority of your funding up front
• Funding covers 100% of the cost of training (for delegates who successfully complete the course)
• Helps you plan your employee training
• You can apply twice per year

Here’s an example of when the CITB Skills and Training Fund would give you the best funding return.

CITB Employer Network

The CITB Employer Network is a funded initiative that streamlines how construction employers access training. CITB Employer Networks operate locally, ensuring that the training is tailored to regional needs and industry requirements. They aim to encourage employers to access more training.

What You Need To Know

Eligibility: Businesses must be registered with CITB, up to date with levy payments and signed up to the Employer Network.

Funding scope: Unlike the other funding routes there is no set list of eligible training and no cap on the size of employer that can access the funding, meaning the Employer Network funding is often more flexible than other routes. Training needs are reviewed on a case-by-case basis along with your local CITB Advisor, so courses that are not typically claimable, such as IOSH Managing Safely and First Aid, may be funded via the Employer Network.

Employers can receive funding up to £25,000 per year through this route.

Application process: You must book training via your local Network Advisor; they will contact training providers on your behalf and will pay 70% of the cost of the training. You just pay the remaining 30% directly to the training provider.

The Benefits 

• Training is 70% funded, up-front by CITB
• Access up to £25,000 towards your training each year
• Can be used alongside Skills & Training Fund bids (as long as you don’t claim for the same training under both funding pots)
• There’s no need to forward plan, simply book training as and when you need it
• A wider range of courses available for funding
• Zero admin – the Employer Network handles everything for you
• Available to all CITB registered employers – no restrictions on company size

Here’s an example of when the CITB Employer Network would provide the best funding option:

For personalised advice on which funding route best suits your business needs, please contact us on 0330 912 0650 or via our enquiry form – our team is here to help.