Ahead of the Christmas break, CITB announced significant changes to the grants and funding available to employers, which took effect from 8 January. With the demand for financial support due to exceed the Levy paid by employers, apprenticeship grants will be maintained but there are wide‐ranging changes to other funding, including:
- Short course training grants have been removed, except for a limited number of specialist courses
- First Aid training is no longer funded
- Funding for new Level 7 long qualifications has been withdrawn
- Employer Networks are now the main route to funding for SMEs, with CITB match funding 50% of eligible courses
- Large employers will not be supported via Employer Networks after 31 March, with a new large employer fund to be introduced from 1 April.
Any training booked before 8 December 2025 which takes place between 8 January and 31 March 2026 will be eligible for the previous grant rates where evidence is provided. Large employers should ensure any training booked via Employer Networks is completed by 31 March 2026. Further information on all the changes can be found in these FAQs and a series of webinars hosted by CITB.