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Scotland Apprenticeship grants

Change to the apprenticeship system in Scotland

The apprenticeship system in Scotland is changing to make it more responsive to the opportunities and challenges created by the changing nature of work. Apprenticeships need to reflect what works looks like today and consider future skills and technologies. Your input at this critical stage will ensure you and your business have easier access to a steady pipeline of talent with the skills needed to grow your workforce, expand your business, and meet the future demands of your industry.

You can find out more about apprenticeship development on the Apprenticeship.scot website.

On this page:

Overview

We pay grants for approved apprenticeships at Level 2 and above that focus on core construction skills needed across the industry.

Who can apply for these grants?

You can apply if you’re a CITB Registered employer and up to date with your Levy Returns, as well as adhering to the Grants Scheme policy and specific requirements for this grant.

The grant for apprenticeships covers:

  • Off-the-job attendance with an approved apprenticeship provider.
  • Achievement of an apprenticeship.

You must use an approved apprenticeship provider that has a direct contract with SDS and current approval with an appropriate awarding body, such as the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).

You can apply for grants for directly employed individuals only on approved Apprenticeships.

Scottish Modern and Higher Apprenticeships are governed by the Guidance and Proposal Template and Scottish Graduate Apprenticeships.

Which apprenticeships are covered for grant?

See a full list of apprenticeships we pay grant for.

How much is it?

  • £2,500 per year for attendance whilst completing the apprenticeship, up to a maximum duration defined within each apprenticeship. This grant is payable every 13 weeks.
  • £3,500 achievement grant on successful completion of the full apprenticeship.
  • An additional achievement grant of £3,500 is payable on achievement of the Professional Development Award (SQA) or the Diploma (C&G) if you are in receipt of attendance grant for your apprentice and they are completing an apprenticeship at SCQF Level 6 only.

Grant increase for dry lining

In addition to the above, an extra £2,000 is payable for dry lining apprentices:

    • £1,000 paid with first quarterly attendance payment (13 weeks).
    • £1,000 paid with the final quarterly attendance payment.

Your apprentice must complete 13 weeks of the apprenticeship before there is entitlement to the first £1,000 increase. A maximum dry lining increase of £2,000 is payable per apprentice.

How to apply

You should apply for the attendance grant when your apprentice starts their apprenticeship. The application must be received by us within 52 weeks of the start date to allow grant to be backdated to this date. If you submit your application more than 52 weeks after the start date, grant will be backdated for a maximum of 52 weeks prior to the date the application is received. If the start date is before 1 April 2022 then attendance grant is paid from the date of application and not the 52 weeks prior. You should apply for the achievement grant when the apprentice has completed the full apprenticeship.

Attendance applications

To apply for attendance grant, download and complete the application form (PDF, 149KB).

If you wish to apply for multiple learners at once, download and complete the bulk grant application (Excel, 79KB) and ensure you complete all sections.

  • Save and email your completed application form and evidence to Customer.ServicesYNET@citb.co.uk 
  • You must provide evidence with your application that shows your apprentice is registered onto an approved apprenticeship programme. Your application cannot be processed without this.

This evidence must be supplied on headed paper or in an email from the college or training provider (from an email address ending .ac.uk) and include the following:

  • Full name of the learner
  • Full apprenticeship title
  • The course start date

As long as we receive the correct paperwork within 52 weeks of the start of the apprenticeship, we will begin making your grant payments, backdated to this date.

We will send you a form or email notification every 13 weeks to confirm that your apprentice is still in training and employment. You must make the confirmation within 3 months of the issue date to continue to receive payments.

If the learner leaves your employment, you must notify us, and we will pay attendance grant up to the date they left.

If a learner moves from one employer to another during the course of the qualification, you will only be paid attendance grant for the time they were employed by you.

For support on applying for this grant you can contact your local CITB Adviser or our customer services team on 0344 994 4455.

Late Submissions

If you don’t submit your application within 52 weeks of the start date of the apprenticeship, we will only backdate attendance grant payments for a maximum of 52 weeks prior to the date the application is received. If the start date of the apprenticeship is before 1 April 2022 then attendance grant is payable from the date we receive your application and not for the 52 weeks prior.

Achievement Application

You must submit your application for achievement grant within 52 weeks of the achievement date, download and complete the application form (PDF, 228KB) and send it to us at the email address below.

If you wish to apply for multiple learners at once, download and complete the bulk grant application (Excel, 180KB)

  • Save and email your completed application to grant.claimforms@citb.co.uk
  • Attach a copy of the apprenticeship achievement certificate or an achievement notification email from the Awarding Body. Your application cannot be processed without this evidence.

On completion of the apprenticeship, we will pay attendance grant up to the date of your apprentices last date in learning.

For support on applying for this grant you can contact your CITB Adviser or our Customer Services team on 0344 994 4455.

Changes and transfers

If an apprentice changes employers but remains on the same apprenticeship, grant payments are shared according to the number of days of employment they have spent with each employer.

A maximum dry lining increase of £2,000 is payable per apprentice. In instances where apprentices change employers:

  • the first £1,000 grant is paid to the employer with which the apprentice first completes 13 weeks of their apprenticeship.
  • the final £1,000 grant is paid to the employer with which the apprentice completes their attendance.

You must also tell us immediately if your apprentice leaves their training programme or your employment. Failure to do so will result in action to recover overpayments.

Other grants

  • You cannot receive short qualification grant for an SVQ in the same occupation in which your apprentice achieves their apprenticeship.

Apprenticeship travel and accommodation funding

We are widening the support offer for employers with apprentices who have to 'Travel to Train'.

We will fund 80% of accommodation costs for eligible apprentices of grant eligible employers who attend colleges or training providers where overnight stays and travel to and from a hotel to a place of training are required.

Employers can also claim excess costs for apprentice travel where the cost exceeds £20 per week.

Find out more about "Travel to Train" on the apprenticeship travel and accommodation and funding page.