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The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has announced changes to how training funding will be distributed to employers from 1 April 2026.
The update introduces a new Large Employer Fund for businesses employing 250 or more people, while Employer Networks will remain the main route for smaller firms to access training support.
CITB said the changes are designed to ensure funding is distributed more sustainably across the industry as demand for training continues to grow.
Why the funding model is changing
The organisation said engagement with training programmes has increased significantly in recent years.
Over the past four years, employer participation in initiatives such as Employer Networks has risen by 36 percent, increasing demand for funding support.
The reforms also come as the government has pledged more than £600 million to help address skills shortages and train up to 60,000 additional construction workers.
Tim Balcon, Chief Executive of CITB, said: “We appreciate that the decisions we have had to make have been disruptive for the industry.
“However, the premise for these changes is that we’re engaging more employers and seeing increased demand – we’ve seen a 36% increase in employer engagement.
“But we need to balance this with the same amount of Levy. Consequently, the way funding is accessed must change in order for us to support more employers with new entrants and competence training.”
Continued support for smaller employers
Employers with between one and 249 employees will continue to access funding through the Employer Networks programme.
From April, support will typically be available through 50 percent match funding, with fixed contributions also available for certain health and safety courses.
For the 2026–27 financial year, the Employer Networks budget has been set at £11.5 million.
Funding caps will apply depending on the size of the employer:
Micro employers (1–9 employees): £1,500
Small employers (10–49 employees): £2,000
Medium employers (50–249 employees): £4,500
CITB said the limits are intended to ensure support reaches a wider range of businesses across the sector.
New fund for large employers
Companies employing 250 or more staff will no longer be able to access funding through Employer Networks.
Instead, they will be able to apply to the new Large Employer Fund, which will be available during the 2026–27 financial year.
The fund will provide up to £18,000 per employer to support eligible training activity. Payments will be made once a training plan has been agreed or after evidence of completed training has been submitted.
Employers will be able to submit Expressions of Interest between 1 April and 30 June 2026 using a form that will be available on CITB’s website.
CITB said the fund will operate as an interim measure while it works with large employers on a longer-term approach to training support.
