Skills News

The UK Government has updated its range of financial incentives for employers who provide training and work opportunities for young people. While apprenticeships remain a key pillar, there are several alternative pathways that offer significant funding without the immediate requirement of a full apprenticeship framework. Incentives at a Glance Programme Type Requirements Incentive Payment T-Level […]

The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has released its latest biennial report, detailing the industry’s progress over the last year and outlining the strategic priorities that will shape the sector through 2026. For NAS members, the report highlights several key “wins” and ongoing workstreams that directly impact our day-to-day operations: 1. Fairer Payment & Retentions The

A NAS and IOC members call to action from Amanda Scott UK Skills Lead and Chair of the National Occupational Standards for Wood Occupations.   Last year CITB ran an all-nations survey to determine what skills the Site Carpentry sector considered should be mandatory expectations for a competent first fix installer. The results from the

The government has officially opened a consultation on proposals to merge the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) into a single, unified Industry Training Board (ITB). Published on 23 March 2026, the consultation seeks views from employers, representative bodies, and training providers across England, Scotland, and Wales. The

From 1 April 2026, the CITB has announced that the way training funding is distributed across the construction and shopfitting industry is changing. These updates follow a significant 36% rise in employer engagement and a national commitment to train up to 60,000 more workers. What it means for Micro, Small, and Medium Members (1–249 staff)

In January 2026 the UK Government announced it was set to rejoin the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme from January 2027 onwards, restoring a major route for study and training placements across Europe. This agreement will allow reciprocal participation in exchange for students and staff. The return will boost the construction sector by facilitating the return

As the government moves forward with its most significant overhaul of apprenticeship standards in years, we are delighted to confirm that James Filus, Director of the National Association of Shopfitters (NAS) and the Institute of Carpenters (IOC), has been appointed to the newly formed Construction Assessment Reform Taskforce. This appointment ensures that the voice of

Implementation Date: 8 January 2026 As members may be aware, significant changes to the CITB Grant and Funding Scheme officially came into effect last week on 8 January 2026. These changes fundamentally alter how training is funded, particularly regarding Short Courses and Long Qualifications. To ensure your business maximizes its available funding and avoids unexpected

CITB has confirmed a series of changes to its grants and funding offer, taking effect from 8 January 2026, following today’s meeting. In short, growing demand for training funding without an increase in Levy rates means CITB is reshaping its support to focus more directly on addressing the industry skills gap. What’s changing from 8