Funding changes information
Important updates to CITB’s grants and funding offer (effective 8 January 2026)
On this page:
These changes take effect from 8 January 2026. Short course training already booked before 8 December (with evidence) that takes place after 8 January will be honoured at current rates.
Find out what these changes mean to you Funding changes infographic (PDF, 68KB)
Why is CITB making these changes?
- Number of employers supported has increased by 36% since 2021
- Levy rates have not increased in this period
- Current demand for financial support will exceed Levy income
- Changes ensure long‑term sustainability and focus support where it has greatest impact
- CITB remains committed to supporting construction training.
- No longer funded through Grants Scheme with the exception of Plant Operations, Scaffolding and other specialist courses. See full list of courses Funding update course exceptions (PDF, 118KB)
- Support now delivered exclusively via Employer Networks
- Pre‑8 December bookings that are completed between 8 January and 31 March 2026 will be honoured where there is evidence provided of booking date to qualify for grant payment.
- You must contact your local adviser who will help you identify and book your training needs
- CITB will match fund 50% of eligible courses
- H&S in construction and associated courses H&S Courses list (PDF, 95KB) supported at 30% of average market rate
- The EN fund operates on a finite, fixed annual budget which will be carefully managed throughout the year to ensure support is distributed fairly
- First Aid training will not be supported.
- Level 7 qualifications starting after 8 December 2025 are no longer supported
- Achievement grant for qualifications below Level 7 is £600 where the achievement date is on or after 8 January 2026 (achievements prior to 7 January 2026 will be honoured at current rates)
- Achievement grant for qualifications at Level 7 is £600 where the start date is before 8 December 2025 and the achievement date is between 8 January 2026 and 31 March 2028. CITB must be informed by 31 March 2026 (achievements prior to 7 January 2026 will be honoured at current rates)
- Attendance grants for long qualifications removed*.
*For Level 7 long qualifications that started before 8 December 2025 and long qualifications below Level 7 that started before 8 January 2026, applications must be submitted to CITB by 31 March 2026 in order to have the attendance grant honoured.
These changes do not impact apprenticeships, or Scottish Advanced Craft Certifications which are SCQF Level 7 (equivalent to QCF Level 4).
- Will not be supported for any training via EN funding after 31 March 2026
- New large employer fund launches 1 April 2026.
Immediate actions for employers
- If your training is already booked by December 8 2025, or completed before 7 January, no action is needed and funding remains unchanged
- If your training is booked by December 8 2025 but takes place between 8 January and 31 March 2026, evidence of this is required to secure current grant rate
- If you’re planning new short-duration training that is EN supported, please speak to your adviser who will help organise what you need
- If you’re a large employer, please ensure any training booked via ENs is completed before 31st March 2026.
Contact your Local CITB Adviser for transition support and booking queries.
Continuing support
- CITB is making no changes to Apprenticeship support
- CITB continues to invest in construction skills
- Support remains available for high‑impact training aligned to skills gaps
- Card‑linked training continues to receive grants.
Key timelines
8 December 2025: Announcement and guidance published
8 January 2026: All new funding rules take effect
31 March 2026: Large employers stop accessing EN funding
1 April 2026: New large employer fund goes live.
FAQs and webinar recordings
Funding changes FAQs (PDF, 167KB)
To make understanding these changes easier, we recently hosted a series of informative webinars, watch the recordings
Contact us
Contact your Local CITB Adviser for transition support and booking queries.