Update on Flexible and Structured Funding – Latest window for applications opens 19 July

The next CITB Flexible and Structured funds window will go live on 19 July and close on 15 August.

To date we have awarded £13m through these funds to our stakeholders. Our Skills and Training fund (dedicated to employers with fewer than 50 employees), which is part of CITB’s Flexible fund, has been particularly successful, with awards totalling just under £500,000. 

Don’t miss out. Visit CITB funding for more information or to apply

How the new CITB Research Investment Fund can help you

CITB has recently launched its new Research Investment Fund – a trial scheme to help the construction industry develop new research and evidence to identify and address skills shortages. It will also help us direct our funding.

This is part of CITB’s Flexible Fund and will be trialled across a nine-month period. In this trial phase applications must come only from Federations.

The Research Investment Fund has a maximum of £100,000 available over a nine-month period – which will be allocated between a maximum of three successful bids. We are making the application and process simple.

Applications are welcomed from 19 July to 15 August, with successful applicants notified in September.

If you are interested in applying or for more information please contact: lee.bryer@citb.co.uk or sandra.lilley@citb.co.uk

Visit our Research Investment Fund page for more information.

Here for you – Employer Forums

Our new CITB Advisor role has been in place since the beginning of April and colleagues in these new roles are working hard with employers through Training Groups, Advisory Forums, Federations and other groups to help ensure you get the right skills for your business.

Employers are therefore invited to attend the next round of scheduled Employer Advisory Forums which are due to take place in the autumn at a number of regional venues. Early booking is essential as these events are very popular.

These regional events provide you with the opportunity to get advice and support for your business and an opportunity to have your say on matters important to you.It is also a chance to debate the issues of the day and work with us to provide solutions. Look out for the dates and booking details for the autumn Forums very soon.

There is also a wide variety of CITB support available for individual construction businesses depending on your business needs.

CITB is currently contacting all employers who are likely to be liable for the new Apprenticeship levy to discuss this with them individually. Telephone support and online services are also available for queries about the CITB Grants scheme and other topics.

Currently our ‘contact us’ page provides all the details you should need for most enquiries including phone numbers, webchat for levy and grant, links and videos.    

Employer Apprenticeships – Grow your business with a CITB Apprentice and access £10,250 funding

Eighty per cent of employers say apprentices make their workplace more productive. Recruit with CITB and we will do all the paperwork, and you will receive dedicated support from one of our Apprenticeship Officers; from the start of recruitment through to completion of the training.

Go to our CITB Apprenticeship section for more information. pages. 

Construction Apprentice Scheme (CAS)

As a result of a recent review of apprenticeship processes the Construction Apprenticeship Scheme (CAS) Committee has confirmed that there is no longer a need for the additional CAS process and are instead endorsing the employer and apprentice funding agreements of the funding agencies. 

This decision will mean that separate CAS documentation will no longer be required to be completed by employers, therefore simplifying the process, reducing administration, and speeding up access to grant payment.

We continue to support the work of the CAS Committee and are currently working together on a joint project to improve the end point recognition through celebration of achievement for employers and our apprentices.

We will keep you updated on this. 

Online Card Checker improvements – Response to feedback

We have received your feedback about the online card checker system and understand you would prefer a simpler and straightforward process.

The good news is that we are now working to make the search criteria easier to use. We will update you in the coming weeks of any changes and let you now once the improved system is live for you to use.

We apologise for any inconvenience at this time and appreciate all your feedback.  As always we are here to support you.