The CITB Employer Network is a funding initiative designed to make training more accessible and affordable for construction employers. Through this scheme, CITB-registered businesses with up to 249 employees can access up to £4,500 in training funding each year, helping them upskill their workforce without dealing with complex application processes.
From April 2026, a new Large Employer Fund will also be introduced. This provides up to £18,000 per year for CITB-registered employers with 250 or more employees.
What are the benefits of the Employer Network?
Simplified access to training and funding
When you join the CITB Employer Network, you are assigned a local training advisor who manages the entire process for you — from arranging courses to securing funding. You simply tell them what training you need, and they handle the rest, removing the need for paperwork or complicated applications.
Up to 50% funded training
One of the key advantages of the scheme is that CITB will cover up to 50% of the cost of eligible training. Employers only need to pay the remaining balance directly to the training provider.
Greater flexibility in course selection
Courses do not need to be grant-claimable or aligned with a specific CITB training standard to qualify. There is no fixed list of eligible courses; instead, options are reviewed on a case-by-case basis depending on your business needs.
Locally tailored support
Employer Networks operate at a local level, ensuring that training is relevant to regional and industry-specific requirements. Since launching as a pilot in July 2022, the network has proven to be a valuable resource for construction businesses across the UK.
Who is eligible?
To join the CITB Employer Network, you must:
- Be a CITB-registered employer
- Have submitted your most recent levy return
- Be up to date with levy payments
Once eligible, you simply need to sign the Employer Network Commitment Statement, which outlines the responsibilities of both CITB and the employer.
From April 2026, annual funding caps will apply based on employer size:
- Micro (1–9 employees): £1,500
- Small (10–49 employees): £2,000
- Medium (50–249 employees): £4,500
- Large (250+ employees): £18,000
How does Employer Network funding work?
As of December 2025, funding for short courses is delivered exclusively through the Employer Network, replacing the previous Achievement Grant Scheme. From April 2026, funding caps based on employer size were introduced.
Key points:
- CITB will match-fund 50% of eligible training (reduced from the previous 70%)
- Health & Safety courses are funded at 30% of the average market rate
- Annual funding budgets are fixed and limited
Example funding changes
- SMSTS: previously up to £240 (Grant Scheme) or £378 (Employer Network), now £115
- Temporary Works Coordinator: £115
- SSSTS: £115
- Asbestos Awareness: £60
- First Aid training is no longer funded
What is the Large Employer Fund?
From 1 April 2026, large employers (250+ employees) will access funding through the new Large Employer Fund instead of the standard Employer Network.
This fund provides up to £18,000 per year to spend on eligible training. Employers can use it flexibly, supported by a training plan or evidence of completed training. It is currently an interim solution while CITB develops a longer-term approach for supporting large employers.rt.
Read more on the latest changes by CITB here.
CITB has determined which courses are eligible for grants, if you’re an employer in the construction industry you’ll want to be able to claim grants when your employees attend these courses. To be able to do this, your organisation must be registered with CITB and you need to book your training with an ATO. Otherwise, in future, you will not be able to claim for eligible courses delivered by companies who are not ATOs.
Approved Training Organisations are required to upload delegate achievements to the Construction Training Register within 10 days of successful completion of an eligible training course. This upload then triggers your grant payment.
To upload the achievements, HSP Training requires the following delegate information:
- Name Address
- DOB
- Email address
- NI number
- CITB Levy number
This can either be recorded at the time of booking or by completing the paperwork at the start of the course.
Unfortunately, ATO’s are not currently able to do this for all courses that are grant eligible. For example, HSP Training can’t upload achievements for:
- NEBOSH Construction
- NVQs
In these instances, employers need to complete a claim themselves.
The Construction Training Register is an online database of construction workers that employers can access to check their achievements. This is where training providers upload achievements following course completion. This means you can see the training that your employees (or potential employees) have completed. If you’re already signed up to use CITB’s online services you can request access to the CTR if you’re not already signed up to online services you would need to do that first.
The Construction Training Directory (CTD) is where customers can search for training courses that are scheduled to be delivered by Approved Training Organisations. You can also find their venue and contact details.
Only Approved Training Organisations have access to advertise their training dates on the training directory.
WHY CHOOSE US?
- Our Mission – Our mission is to assist organisations and individuals within the construction industry to deliver quality results through first class training.
- Quality Assured – Each year, our accreditation partners rigorously review our equipment, trainers, and course content to ensure strict compliance with safety standards.
- Ensuring Safety In The Workplace – Prioritise workplace safety through regular training in order to protect lives and prevent accidents.
- Engaging and Effective – Aurelia operator training is practical, professional, efficient and effective and benefits from both hands-on and class based teaching methodology.
CITB EMPLOYER NETWORK
Employer Networks have been set up to make it easier for local employers to access training, funded by CITB.
The CITB Employer Network is a CITB funded initiative designed to simplify how construction employers access training and funding. In a bid to encourage employers to upskill their workforce CITB is offering each registered employer funding of up to £25,000 each year to use towards training requirements.
HSP Training & Consultancy Ltd are a multi accredited Health & Safety training provider with a proven track record of delivering first class training.