The Specialist Upskilling Fund is now open for applications. Following the launch webinar in April, this new fund has been designed to help remove barriers to training in specialist construction trades.
The fund will support up to ten specialist upskilling projects, helping employers access high-quality, cost-effective competence training and supporting the uptake of up to 600 additional sector-specific NVQ achievements.
We would be grateful if you could share this opportunity with any relevant industry contacts who may be interested in applying.
Key information
- Funding available: up to £35,000 per specialist sector application, for delivery over 12 months
- Who can apply: any organisation with relevant specialist sector experience. CITB registration is not required, and consortium bids are permitted
- Deadline: applications close on 2 June 2026.
What the fund will do
- Support employers to identify workforce competence needs through training needs conversations and analysis
- Provide specialist advice and guidance to tackle common barriers to training
- Guide employers to suitable, quality-assured training and support uptake of sector-specific NVQs
- Generate sector insights and learning to inform future CITB funding decisions.
To apply, organisations should complete the application form and follow the guidance provided in the fund documentation. Any questions during the application window should be sent to [email protected] with “Specialist Upskilling Fund” in the subject line.
Please direct contacts to the launch webinar materials, FAQs and application documents on the CITB website to help potential applicants understand the opportunity and the application process.