KNOWLEDGE HUB
CITB Skills & Training Fund
The CITB Skills and Training Fund offers CITB-registered businesses funding to invest in training so you can equip your workforce to face the future.
It provides an extra incentive for businesses to access CITB grant-eligible training, but can also be used to tailor a training programme in construction or leadership and management that suits your business and the needs of your staff.
OVERVIEW
How does the CITB Skills and Training Fund differ from the grants?
The Skills and Training Fund is available on top of the existing grant scheme, meaning you can get both at the same time. There is also more flexibility with the Skills and Training Fund: whilst CITB grants are only available on existing, standardised courses, the fund can also be used to introduce new training to help businesses improve. The fund also aims to support the full cost of grant-eligible training, rather than just part of it.
CITB SKILLS AND TRAINING FUND
Who can apply for the fund?
Small and Micro-sized businesses with up to 99 directly-employed staff can receive up to £10,000. Medium-sized businesses with between 100 and 250 directly-employed staff can receive up to £25,000. In both cases, the exact amount of funding you are eligible for is related to how many direct employees you have.
Your company must also be CITB-registered and up to date with your levy returns. Any previous projects paid for by the fund must also have been signed off as complete.
You can apply twice every 12 months, but you can only have one live project at a time. The Skills and Training Fund only applies to future training activities, so you need to specify on your application that the training has not yet taken place.
CITB SKILLS & TRAINING FUND
How to apply
Before you apply, it’s a good idea to discuss your application with your local CITB engagement adviser as well as the training provider you’re planning on using, as both can offer guidance. The CITB engagement adviser can also ensure your application form has been completed correctly. CITB also provides a range of documents including guidance notes which you should read before submitting your application.
Once you have filled out and submitted the application form, it will be assessed, and you should receive a decision by email around the 15th of the month after your application was submitted. All applications are scored against the fund criteria as set out in the guidance notes. If your application meets the criteria, it will be approved and processed for payment.
After you’ve been approved, you can start your training activity. You must retain all evidence of invoices as you will need to submit these to CITB as proof that the training has taken place.