Understanding CITB Funding and the Three Available Routes

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) offers various routes for funding options and support to help construction companies improve the skills of their employees.

The majority of the training we supply at 3B Training is available for funding under the following three routes:

• CITB Skills & Training Fund
• CITB Achievement Grant
• CITB Employer Network

Depending on the type of training you plan on booking, each of these routes provides different benefits.

CITB Skills and Training Fund

The CITB Skills and Training Fund offers financial support to organisations that want to develop new skills within their workforce and reduce skill shortages in construction.

Eligibility: This funding is available to organisations that are CITB-registered and have 250 employees or less. These CITB-registered organisations must be up-to-date on their Levy Returns.

Funding scope:?There are two types of funding available based on the size of your company.

• Small and micro businesses with up to 99 employees can claim up to ￡10,000 twice a year.
• Medium-sized businesses with up to 250 employees can claim up to ￡25,000 twice a year.

The Skills and Training Fund operates in conjunction with the Achievement Grant, meaning the courses eligible for funding are the same.

Application process: Outline your training plan for the next 6 or 12 months and submit it for approval to CITB. Once the plan is approved, CITB will reimburse the agreed funding amount upfront, which will be the total approved funding minus the value of the Achievement Grant.

The Achievement Grant will be paid as outlined above once each delegate has successfully completed the course. We are extremely experienced with supporting employers with the Skills & Training Fund Claims, so our team is more than happy to help!

The Advantages of the CITB Skills and Training Fund

• Claim up to ￡50,000 annually
• Receive the majority of your funding upfront
• Covers 100% of training costs for delegates who successfully complete their course
• Supports planning for employee training
• Apply up to twice a year

Here’s an example of how the CITB Skills and Training Fund can maximise your funding return.

CITB Achievement Grant

Achievement Grants are in place to assist construction employers in recovering part of their training expenses. This option is available for various training courses that promote skill development within the sector.

Eligibility: Companies must be registered with CITB and current with their levy payments.

Funding scope: Many essential trade skills, health and safety and other relevant training courses are covered in this funding. CITB recommends employers opt for a CITB Approved Training Organisation (ATO) that meets the required training standards. Learn more about claimable courses and training standards by visiting the CITB website.

Eligible courses are categorised into three tiers, which establish the level of funding available per delegate. The funding tiers change periodically but currently (correct as of September 2024):

• Tier one: ￡60
• Tier two: ￡140
• Tier three: ￡240

This grant can only be claimed for delegates who successfully complete the qualification, meaning you can't claim if the delegate does not pass.

Application process: Employers cover the upfront cost of the training and are reimbursed by CITB for the appropriate amount per learner after course completion.

CITB Approved Training Organisations collect the necessary details from both the employer and delegate for each grant-eligible course. After the course is completed, the ATO submits this information to CITB, which is then used to process the grant claim.

However, certain courses and qualifications, such as NEBOSH and NVQs , cannot be claimed by ATO's. In these cases, employers may need to submit a manual claim.

The Advantages of the CITB Achievement Grant

• You don't need to pre-plan the training you need
• Up to ￡240 per delegate is available
• In some cases, you might be able to recover more than the training costs
• Your training provider handles most of the administrative tasks
• 3B will submit the information to CITB within 10 days after the course is completed
• Available to all CITB-registered employers, regardless of the size of the organisation

Here's an example of when the CITB Achievement Grant is the best funding choice.

CITB Employer Network

The CITB Employer Network is a funded initiative designed to simplify access to training for construction employers.

CITB Employer Networks work at a local level, making sure training aligns with regional needs and industry demands. The goal is to encourage employers to engage in more training opportunities.

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

Funding scope: Unlike other funding options, the Employer Network funding has no fixed list of eligible training and no restrictions on the employer size that can have access to the funding. This means that the Employer Network funding is often more flexible than other routes.

Training needs are assessed individually in consultation with your local CITB Advisor, allowing for the possibility of funding courses that are not usually eligible for claims, such as IOSH Managing Safely and First Aid, through the Employer Network. Employers can receive funding up to ￡25,000 per year through this route.

Application process: Training must be booked through your local Network Advisor, who will coordinate with training providers on your behalf and cover 70% of the training costs. You’ll only need to pay the remaining 30% directly to the provider.

The Advantages of the CITB Employer Network

• Training is 70% funded, up-front by CITB
• Access up to ￡25,000 towards your training annually
• 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 tailored advice on the best funding options for your business, feel free to contact us at 0330 912 0650 or through our enquiry form. Our team is ready to assist you.