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Major CITB Funding Updates: Effective 8th January 2026

CITB has recently announced major updates to its Grants and Funding offer, following changes to the Training Group Grant. Many of these changes come into effect on 8th January 2026, and some from April 2026, and all will affect how employers book and claim funding for short courses and qualifications.

To support you through the changes, we’ve summarised the key points below — including timelines, what’s changing, and what you need to do next.*

*We will update this blog as more details are revealed by CITB – stay tuned!

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What’s Changing from 8th January 2026?

Short Course Training

The Grants Scheme will no longer fund short courses. Short courses will be delivered exclusively via Employer Networks (ENs) rather than the Grants Scheme.

  • Exceptions: Plant Operations, Scaffolding and other select specialist courses

Courses booked before 8th December 2025 and delivered before 31st March 2026 will be honoured at the current grant rate.

Employer Network Funding Rules

  • CITB will match-fund 50% of eligible short-duration courses, as opposed to the 70% previously funded

  • Health & Safety courses will be supported at 30% of the average market rate

    What does this mean for funding for my course?

    • You can follow the above link for exact EN funding amounts from 8th Jan 2026, but for example…
    • SMSTS was funded up to £240 under the Grant Scheme or £378 under Employer Network. It will now be funded at £115
    • Temporary Works Coordinator and SSSTS are also funded at £115, while Asbestos Awareness is funded at £60
  • EN budgets are finite and fixed annually

  • First Aid training will no longer be supported

  • Booking requirements: You must contact your local CITB Adviser to identify and book training needs

Qualification Grants

  • Attendance grants removed for long qualifications

  • £600 achievement grant remains

  • Level 7 qualifications will no longer be supported

    • Does not affect Level 7 apprenticeships or Scottish SCQF Level 7 Advanced Craft

Large Employers (250+ employees)

  • EN funding available only until 31st March 2026

  • A new large employer fund launches 1st April 2026

Immediate Actions for Employers

  • Already booked by 8th December 2025 or completed before 7th January 2026?
    → No action needed; current funding rates remain.

  • Booked by 8th December 2025 but taking place 8th Jan–31st March 2026?
    → Ensure you have evidence of booking to secure existing rates.

  • Planning new short-duration training?
    → Speak to your CITB Adviser to organise EN-supported training.

  • Large employer?
    → Complete any EN-funded training before 31 March 2026.

  • For all queries or transition support, contact your local CITB Adviser.

Why Are CITB Making These Changes?

CITB has confirmed that changes are required to keep funding sustainable and focused where it is needed most.
Key reasons include:

  • 36% increase in the number of employers supported since 2021

  • No increase in Levy rates during this period

  • Demand for financial support is now projected to exceed Levy income

  • New structure designed to protect long-term sustainability

  • Ensures funding is targeted at areas with the greatest industry impact

CITB has confirmed ongoing investment in construction skills, including:

  • Support for high-impact, skills gap-aligned training

  • Card-linked training will continue to receive grants

  • Focus on ensuring funding reaches areas with the greatest industry need

Key Dates for Your Diary

  • 8th December 2025 – CITB announcement & guidance published

  • 8th January 2026 – New rules take effect

  • 31st March 2026 – Large employers stop accessing EN funding

  • 1st April 2026 – New Large Employer Fund goes live

FAQs

Why is CITB removing funding for some training?

Supporting more employers with the same Levy amount is no longer sustainable. Without changes, CITB funding demand would exceed income, risking all support programmes.

I’ve already booked training expecting EN support — will the rate change?

If booked on or before 8th December 2025, or completed before 7th January 2026, your rate is protected.

If booked by 8th December but delivered 8th Jan – 31st March 2026, you must provide booking evidence to receive the current rate.

Is CITB’s plan to get rid of the current grant scheme?

Not as far as we understand it right now. The grant scheme will continue to be in place for apprenticeships and a set list of courses.

Are the grant tiers remaining the same for the courses funded via the grant scheme?

Yes, the tiers will remain the same.

Can the courses available via the grant scheme be booked via the employer network?

No.

Is there any more information about the fund that large employers can access from 1st April?

There’s limited information at the moment, but our understanding is that this will be a separate fund and will not be linked to the Employer Network.

How do we know what the ‘market average’ is?

We understand that CITB will soon be providing a list of these prices to training providers, but we don’t currently have this information. It’s currently unclear if this will be per course, per delegate or both.

Will there be a cap on what employers can claim through employer network?

Yes, the cap will remain the same until 31st March. We believe it is being reviewed and may change in future.

Is eLearning still available via the employer network?

Yes.

 

The funding changes from CITB are rolling out now, and we expect lots of clarification to come for common questions and concerns.

If you need any support with understanding what you need to do next, our team will do our best to help you, as we keep on top of all the latest information.

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