If you’re booking construction courses in 2026, you’ve probably noticed one thing:

CITB funding has changed and it is not as straightforward as it used to be.

The old system of booking a course and claiming a grant afterwards has largely gone. But funding has not disappeared. It has been restructured.

If you understand how it now works, you can still reduce training costs. The key is knowing which funding route applies to your business.

What Changed in 2026

From 8 January 2026, CITB made major changes to its funding model.

The most important change:

Most short course training is no longer funded through the traditional grants scheme.

Instead:

• Support is now mainly delivered through Employer Networks
• Only certain specialist courses remain grant funded

Examples of exceptions include:

• Plant operations
• Scaffolding
• Other specialist training areas

This means funding now depends on both:

• The type of training
• How you access it

The Key Rule: It Depends on Your Business Size

1 to 249 employees

Funding is accessed through CITB Employer Networks

250 plus employees

Funding is accessed through the CITB Large Employer Fund

Large employers can no longer use Employer Networks from April 2026.

Employer Networks Explained (SMEs)

Employer Networks are now the main route for accessing funding for short duration training.

How it works:

• Training needs are identified in line with CITB requirements
• Courses are agreed and booked through the Employer Network
• CITB contributes towards eligible training

Getting started:

• Speak to your local CITB Employer Network Advisor or contact our team
• We can help you access the Employer Network, organise training, and guide you through the funding process

Important:

• Not all courses are eligible
• Funding must be arranged before booking
• Funding is limited and allocated throughout the year

CITB Large Employer Fund (250 plus employees)

From 1 April 2026, large employers moved to a separate funding model.

Key points:

• Replaces access to Employer Networks
• Provides funding through a structured approach
• Based on training plans or completed activity

Large employers must:

• Engage directly with CITB
• Plan training in advance
• Submit an Expression of Interest

This is a different process to SMEs and does not apply funding at the point of booking.

More details: https://essentialsiteskills.co.uk/citb-large-employer-fund

What Funding Is Still Available

CITB funding still exists, but it is now split across different routes.

Employer Networks

• Main route for short duration training
• Funding applied before or during booking

Short Course Grants (Limited)

Short course grants still exist, but only for specific areas aligned to CITB standards.

The main areas include:

• Plant operations (aligned to CITB plant standards) 
• Scaffolding
• Certain specialist training

These grants apply only to approved courses and are not available for most general training.

Plant training remains one of the key areas where short course grants still apply under CITB plant standards.

Qualification Grants (NVQs)

• A fixed grant is paid on completion of eligible NVQs (typically £600)
• Applies to qualifications at Levels 2 to 6
• Payment is made to the employer once the qualification is achieved

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships remain funded separately and are not affected by these changes.

What Is No Longer Funded

• Most short course grants
• Attendance grants for qualifications
• First Aid training
• Level 7 qualifications for new starts

Who Can Access CITB Funding

To access funding, employers must:

• Be registered with CITB
• Be up to date with levy returns
• Use approved training and routes

How to Access CITB Funding

Employer Networks

You do not apply for funding in the traditional way.

Instead:

• Training is agreed in line with CITB funding requirements
• Courses are booked through the Employer Network
• CITB contributes towards eligible training

Getting started:

• Speak to your local CITB Employer Network Advisor or contact our team
• We can help you access the Employer Network, organise training, and guide you through the funding process

Funding is only applied when the correct process is followed before training is booked.

NVQ and Qualification Grants

These are claimed after completion.

To claim:

1. Complete the qualification
2. Submit a claim through CITB Online Services
3. Provide proof of achievement

The grant is then paid to the employer.

How to Reduce Training Costs in 2026

1. Identify your funding route early
Employer Networks for SMEs
Large Employer Fund for larger businesses

2. Check eligibility before booking
Not all training is eligible for CITB funding

3. Follow the correct process
Funding is only applied when training is arranged through the correct route

4. Plan ahead
Employer Network funding is limited and allocated throughout the year

What This Means in Practice

• Funding has not been removed, but redirected
• Access now depends on structure, not just course choice
• Planning is now essential

Employers who understand the system will still benefit from significant cost savings.

Need Help?

At Essential Site Skills, we help employers:

• Understand which funding applies
• Work alongside CITB Employer Network Advisors
• Plan training correctly
• Deliver CITB aligned courses

Browse courses & NVQs here:
https://essentialsiteskills.co.uk/courses-nvqs 

Or explore our live training calendar:
https://essentialsiteskills.co.uk/training-calendar