Types of apprenticeships offered by CITB

CITB Apprenticeships offer the widest range of construction trades of any apprenticeship provider with regional offices located across England, Scotland and Wales

Traditional Apprenticeships - including Technical and Supervisory at Level 3

A Traditional Apprenticeship combines studying at college (or training provider) with experience on-site over a two to three year period (or four years in Scotland). This is the most common way to get qualified and is available across the UK.

Apprenticeships lead to industry recognised qualifications which will qualify your apprentice for one of the industry card schemes – essential for getting on-site.

As an employer you may also be able to claim CITB Grant of up to £10,250 to support you through a three or four year apprenticeship.

For further information, take a look at our page on claiming available grants.

Specialist Applied-skills Programmes (SAP)

Specialist Applied-skills Programmes (SAPs) are developed through partnerships with trade associations, federations and employers in specialist sectors.

SAPs are 18-month training programmes for new entrants. Available across the UK, the programmes lead to a vocational qualification (NVQ/SVQ) and are considered by trade associations and employers as 'sector apprenticeships’.

These new entrant programmes are currently the only source of CITB grant recognised new entrant training for the sectors involved.

New entrants must have a full-time contract of direct employment with a CITB-registered employer. There is no upper age restriction, 16+ years; however, employer preference tends to be 18+ years.

Shared Apprenticeship Services (formerly - Shared Apprenticeship Scheme)

Shared Apprenticeship Services is a different approach to apprenticeships within the construction industry in England and Wales. It offers employers, particularly those new to apprenticeships or smaller businesses lacking the breadth of work or planned projects, the opportunity to engage in the upskilling of an apprentice without the need to commit to the full duration of their program.

Shared Apprenticeship Services recruit apprentices and assume all employer responsibilities related to them. They then actively seeks placement opportunities with suitable construction employers, ensuring that apprentices gain valuable on-site experience over a defined period, typically lasting between 3 to 6 months.