Construction training · Funding guidance 2026/27

CITB Funding for Construction Training & NVQs

Find the funding route that may apply to your business and training needs. SHEC Learning® can help you choose a suitable qualification and understand the current CITB rules before you enrol.

Check My CITB Funding OptionsSpeak to a SHEC Adviser

CITB Training Provider Network approved provider · Qualification suitability guidance · Assessor support

What CITB funding is available in 2026/27?

CITB offers separate routes for qualification achievement and construction training. The right route depends on your qualification, training need and employer size. Eligibility, available budgets and current CITB rules apply.

Qualification achievement

Qualification Grants

Employer grants after achievement of an approved qualification. Many full qualifications attract £600.

Check qualification grants →
1–249 employees

Employer Networks

Part-funded approved training, arranged through the Employer Network process, with annual employer caps.

Check your employer band →

What changed in 2026?

Achievement grants

The enhanced management and supervision achievement rates ended for achievements from January 2026. Approved qualifications in those categories now attract £600. New Level 7 qualification starts are no longer generally supported.

Training support

Employer Networks and the Large Employer Fund are separate from qualification grants. Employer Networks use 50% match funding or fixed contributions for specified health and safety training, within current caps.

CITB qualification-grant rules ↗ · CITB Employer Networks ↗

CITB Qualification Grants

CITB-registered employers with up-to-date Levy Returns may claim for eligible grant-approved qualifications achieved by directly employed staff, business owners, partners and subcontractors, subject to scheme rules.

What is the current rate?

Many approved full qualifications receive the standard £600 achievement grant. Listed awards at Level 2 or higher receive £240, and some specialist qualifications have other rates. Check the exact qualification before relying on a figure.

Who receives the payment?

The grant supports the employer after achievement. It is not a guaranteed reduction in the learner’s course fee. Apply through CITB Online Services within 52 weeks of achievement.

Are Level 7 NVQs still funded?

New Level 7 starts are not generally supported. Transitional £600 achievement support may remain only where the learner:

  • Started by 8 December 2025.
  • Had start-date evidence submitted to CITB by 31 March 2026.
  • Achieves by 31 March 2028.

Confirm any transitional claim directly with CITB.

Read CITB’s qualification-grant rules ↗ · Check the approved qualification list ↗

CITB Employer Networks for 1–249 employees

Eligible CITB-registered employers with up-to-date levy obligations can access approved training through their local Employer Network. From April 2026, CITB generally provides 50% match funding, with fixed contributions for specified health and safety courses.

Employer sizeEmployees2026/27 annual cap
Micro1–9£1,500
Small10–49£2,000
Medium50–249£4,500

These are funding caps, not guaranteed payments. Training must follow the applicable Employer Network booking process. Funding is budget-led and values can change; first aid is excluded and some training remains under separate grant routes.

Check current Employer Network funding and booking rules ↗

CITB Large Employer Fund for 250+ employees

For FY2026/27, eligible employers with 250 or more PAYE employees can access up to £18,000 for in-scope training. Levy Returns and payments must be up to date, and CITB must confirm eligibility.

All funded training must take place between 1 April 2026 and 31 March 2027. The fund supports eligible short courses, leadership and management training, and other construction-related training.

What is excluded?

  • Training available through other grant or funding routes.
  • Level 7 qualifications and first aid.
  • In-house training, Microsoft Office courses and consultancy.
  • Membership or registration fees, software, travel, accommodation, subsistence and VAT.

Read the Large Employer Fund eligibility and exclusions ↗

Construction qualifications: check your funding route

Explore our construction NVQs. Ask us to check the exact qualification and current CITB position before relying on funding.

Level 6 Construction Contracting Operations Management

Funding depends on the exact qualification and employer eligibility.

Explore this qualification →

Considering Level 7 Construction Senior Management? New starts are not supported under the current qualification-grant rules. See the transitional conditions above.

How SHEC Learning® can help

01 · Suitability

Choose the right qualification

Discuss the learner’s role, experience and access to workplace evidence so the qualification matches their responsibilities.

02 · Funding route

Understand the current rules

Identify the relevant CITB route and provide the course information or quotation needed for the next step. CITB makes funding decisions.

03 · Learning support

Progress with guidance

Receive assessor guidance through the agreed qualification process, from enrolment and evidence planning to completion.

CITB funding questions

How much is the CITB NVQ grant in 2026?

CITB’s standard achievement grant is £600 for approved full qualifications. The exact qualification must appear on CITB’s current grant list. Different rates apply to certain other qualifications, including listed awards at Level 2 or higher, which receive £240.

Can I still claim £1,500 for a management NVQ?

The enhanced management and supervision achievement rates ended for achievements from January 2026. Where the qualification remains grant approved, the current management or supervision rate is £600. Older £1,500 management-grant claims should not be relied on for current achievements.

Does CITB fund Level 7 NVQs?

New Level 7 starts are not supported under the current qualification-grant rules. Transitional £600 achievement support can remain for qualifying learners who started by 8 December 2025, whose start was notified to CITB by 31 March 2026, and who achieve by 31 March 2028.

What are CITB Employer Networks?

Employer Networks help eligible CITB-registered employers with 1–249 employees access approved training. From April 2026, support is generally 50% match funding, with fixed contributions for specified health and safety courses. Annual employer caps and the Employer Network booking process apply; support depends on available budgets.

What is the CITB Large Employer Fund?

For FY2026/27, eligible employers with 250 or more PAYE employees can access up to £18,000 for in-scope training. Levy Returns and payments must be up to date. Training must take place between 1 April 2026 and 31 March 2027. CITB exclusions apply.

Who receives a CITB qualification grant?

The grant is employer support paid under CITB’s Grants Scheme, subject to employer and qualification eligibility. It is linked to achievement and is not an automatic discount from the SHEC Learning® course fee.

How long do employers have to claim a qualification grant?

CITB states that short qualification grant applications should be made through its Online Services portal within 52 weeks of the achievement date. Check the current application requirements and retain the evidence needed to support the claim.

Can SHEC Learning® guarantee my CITB funding?

No. SHEC Learning® can help you understand the relevant funding route and choose a suitable qualification. CITB determines eligibility, funding availability and payment. Confirm the position before making a training decision that depends on funding.

Check your CITB funding options

Tell us about your company and the training you need. We will help you identify the most relevant SHEC qualification and the CITB route that may apply.

Let’s explore how we can help your business access CITB funding and develop your workforce.

In your message, please include your company name, employee band, CITB registration status, training required, number of learners and preferred timescale.

For an enquiry now, contact SHEC Learning® or call 01443 555098.

Funding is subject to CITB eligibility, current scheme rules and available budgets. SHEC Learning® cannot guarantee a grant or funding award.

Funding information checked against CITB sources: 22 September 2026.