CITB Skills and Training Fund
Advice for medium-sized construction businesses (closing 30 September 2025)
Changes to funding
We're simplifying how businesses access training funding by moving to a single route. From 30 September 2025, the Skills & Training fund will close. Employer Networks will become the single channel for further developing businesses.
Applications received in September 2025 will use new payment terms; funding will be paid when you complete your agreement.
The grants scheme will continue running to support core construction training.
Further information can be found here:
Employer Networks
Employer Networks offer bespoke, easy-to-access training and financial support. They give you a direct channel to communicate training needs and advise on how funding should be prioritised in your local area.
Why not join our Employer Networks to access tailored support and funding for the skills you need to succeed. Click here to find out more.
What this fund is for?
We’re supporting medium-sized businesses with up to £25,000 to upskill your staff to face the future.
The money can be used for training in leadership and management or construction areas that will meet the needs of your team. Ultimately, adopting new skills will enable you to optimise efficiencies and continue expanding your revenue, through a motivated team that’s prepared to tackle tomorrow.
Who can apply for funding?
You’ll be eligible to apply if:
- You have between 100 and 250 directly-employed staff on your payroll
- You are a CITB-registered employer and up to date with your Levy Returns
- Any previous project paid for by the Fund has been signed off as complete
Please note, the Skills and Training Fund will be closing on 30 September 2025 so applications must be received before this date. Applications received between 01 September and 30 September will be paid upon completion and evidence of training.
How much can you apply for?
You can apply for funding related to how many direct employees you have:
- Employers with between 100 and 149 directly employed staff can receive up to £15,000
- Employers with between 150 and 199 directly employed staff can receive up to £20,000
- Employers with between 200 and 250 directly employed staff can receive up to £25,000.
Please note, if your application is successful, the funding amount awarded in your outcome email is the maximum available. We are unable to provide any additional funding beyond this amount.
How often can you apply?
The Skills and Training Fund will be closing on 30 September 2025 so applications must be received before this date. You can only have 1 live project at a time.
Before you apply
Make sure you have read and understood these documents:
You should also discuss your application with your local CITB Adviser. They will be happy to assist and to ensure your application form has been completed correctly.
How to apply
- Download and complete the Skills and Training Fund application form (Excel, 364KB) to apply.
- Complete all fields, saving the form regularly to prevent loss of data.
- Save and send the completed form to skills.training@citb.co.uk.
Make sure the training activity you specify takes place between now and October 2026, and not in the past. We are unable to fund retrospective activity.
Please also ensure your training provider is approved to offer the training you've chosen.
What happens next?
Assessing applications
The Skills and Training team will review all applications at the end of each submission window (typically at the end of each calendar month).
You should receive a decision from us by email by the end of the next calendar month after your application was submitted. For example, if you apply any time during the month of July we will aim to communicate a decision by the end of August (depending on application volumes). We would appreciate it if you do not chase a response within this period and we will inform you of the outcome as soon as possible.
Application decisions
We will review and score all applications against the Skills and Training Fund criteria and notify you of our decision.
Approved:
If your application meets the Skills and Training Fund criteria, it will be approved and processed for payment, and you will receive an email with a payment schedule.
Payments will be made on a quarterly basis, subject to sufficient evidence of training being completed at each payment milestone.
Declined:
Your application may be declined if:
- Your application does not meet the Skills and Training Fund criteria
- You have not submitted your most recent Levy return
- You are behind on your Levy payments
We will advise you on why we have declined your application or will communicate this via your CITB Adviser. As the fund with be closing, applications cannot be resubmitted after 30 September.
Monitoring and completing training
After the funding payment has been approved you can start your training activity.
You will be paid quarterly, and you will need to submit evidence of the spend before a payment will be released.
It’s important you retain all invoices, to demonstrate that the training has taken place. As part of your funding agreement, you will receive a reminder e-mail requesting evidence of expenditure every quarter.
Your collated evidence should be sent to skills.training@citb.co.uk within 28 days of receiving the e-mail. If you are experiencing challenges with finalizing your training programme, please contact us.
What happens if circumstances change?
If your business needs to make a change to your approved training, contact skills.training@citb.co.uk as soon as possible. Please note, we’re unable to offer additional funding beyond what has already been awarded.