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)
Smaller businesses will continue to use the Employer Networks for training support.
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Match Funding: Funding is available at 50% match funding.
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Safety Training: Health and Safety courses will be funded at a fixed contribution rate.
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New Annual Caps: To ensure the £11.5m budget reaches as many firms as possible, the following caps apply for 2026-27:
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Micro (1–9 employees): £1,500 cap.
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Small (10–49 employees): £2,000 cap.
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Medium (50–249 employees): £4,500 cap.
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What it means for Large Members (250+ staff)
Large employers will move away from Employer Networks into a dedicated Large Employer Fund for the 2026-27 financial year.
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The Benefit: Access to up to £18,000 to spend on in-scope training of your choice.
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Payment: Funds are paid based on a training plan or receipt of training evidence.
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Critical Deadline: Expressions of Interest (EOI) open on 1 April 2026 and must be submitted by 30 June 2026.
What stays available for everyone?
Regardless of your company size, you can still access:
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Standard Grants: Apprenticeship grants, qualification grants, and short course grants (including plant and scaffolding).
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Support Schemes: Travel to Train and the Industry Impact Fund.
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Advisory: Local NEST teams and the wider advisory service remain available to help you map out your 2026 training plan.
