CITB Grants & Funding

Get funding to train your employees

Get Funding to Train Your Employees

CITB funding for construction training is changing from January 2026. If you employ people in the construction industry and use CITB grants to support NVQs and other qualifications, it’s important to understand how the new system works, what funding is still available and how to plan your training to maximise your return.

At Portland Training, we support employers across the UK with construction NVQs and guidance on CITB funding, eligibility and claims.

An overview of the new CITB grant structure for NVQs

In late 2025, the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) announced reforms to its Grants Scheme. These changes are designed to make funding more sustainable and ensure support can continue for as many employers and learners as possible.

The new rules apply to new grant claims from 8 January 2026 onwards, with some transitional arrangements for learners who start or complete training before specific cut-off dates.

You can read a detailed explanation of these changes in our blog post: CITB NVQ Grant Changes Explained – What Employers Need to Know

 

For official guidance and policy details, visit the CITB website here.

CITB funding for NVQs from January 2026

Under the previous scheme, CITB grant payments for NVQs varied depending on the level of the qualification, with higher grants available for supervisory and management NVQs.

From January 2026, this changes.

 

Flat-rate NVQ achievement grant

For non-apprenticeship NVQs and other long qualifications, CITB will pay a flat achievement grant of £600 per completed qualification at Levels 2 to 6.

This means:

  • Level 2 NVQs attract £600

  • Level 3 and Level 4 NVQs attract £600

  • Level 6 NVQs attract £600

The grant is paid only when the qualification is achieved.

Who can claim CITB grants

You can usually claim CITB funding if:

  • You are a CITB-registered employer

  • Your Levy Returns are up to date

  • The qualification is approved for funding under the current scheme

Grants can normally be claimed for:

  • Directly employed staff on your payroll

  • Business owners and partners

  • Eligible subcontractors

Eligibility rules and claim deadlines are set by CITB and may change, so we always recommend checking current guidance or speaking to an adviser.

Get in touch

Short Course Funding (SMSTS, SSSTS and similar)

From January 2026, short construction courses such as SMSTS, SSSTS and other vocational or health and safety training are no longer funded through the standard CITB Grants Scheme.

Instead, these courses are supported through CITB Employer Network funding, which operates on a match-funded basis.

How short course funding works

  • Eligible short courses are funded at 50% of the course cost through an approved CITB Employer Network

  • Funding is typically agreed in advance via the network rather than claimed retrospectively

  • Employers may need to work with a local or sector-based Employer Network to access this support

This represents a change from the previous fixed-grant model and means employers should factor funding applications into their training planning at an early stage.

For official information on Employer Networks and short course funding, view their website here.

 

How Portland Training Can Help

Navigating CITB funding changes can be complex, particularly when you are balancing training with the demands of running a construction business.

Portland Training:

  • Delivers NVQs from Level 2 through to Level 7

  • Supports employers with grant eligibility checks and applications

  • Advises on training timelines to help maximise available funding

If you are unsure how the new CITB funding rules affect you or want advice on the best route for your team, speak to one of our advisers today.

Get in touch to discuss your NVQ options and CITB funding support.

 

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