Citb

Charity Number: 264289

Annual Expenditure: £155.7M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: ??155.7M (grants and targeted interventions)
  • Success Rate: Not published
  • Decision Time: Varies by program (immediate to quarterly payments)
  • Grant Range: ??0 - ??25,000 (Skills and Training Fund)
  • Geographic Focus: Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales)

Contact Details

  • Website: www.citb.co.uk
  • Phone: 0300 4567492 (board secretary), 0344 994 4455 (grants), 0344 994 4433 (apprenticeships)
  • Email: board.secretary@citb.co.uk, levy.grant@citb.co.uk, skills.training@citb.co.uk
  • Pre-application support: Local CITB Advisers available for medium business applications

Overview

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is a charity (264289) and executive non-departmental public body established over 50 years ago to support the UK construction sector. With annual grant distribution of ??128.6M supporting 15,710 employers and additional targeted interventions worth ??27.1M, CITB is the largest construction training funder in Great Britain. The organization operates through an employer levy system and works closely with government to address national construction skills needs. Under CEO Tim Balcon's leadership since 2021, CITB has streamlined access to training and funding, focusing on three key pillars: getting more trained people into industry, ensuring quality training availability, and improving current workforce skills. The organization achieved an 80% qualification achievement rate at its National Construction College in 2023-24.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • Skills and Training Fund: ??10,000 - ??25,000 (closing September 2025) - online application, quarterly payments for medium businesses
  • Short Course Grants: Variable amounts (3 hours to 29 days training) - rolling basis, payment on completion
  • Qualification Grants: ??2,500/year attendance + ??3,500 achievement for apprentices - rolling applications
  • Apprenticeship Grants: Up to ??6,000 per apprentice - continuous recruitment

Priority Areas

  • Net Zero and sustainable construction skills
  • Digital construction and modern methods of construction (MMC)
  • Leadership and management development
  • Health and safety training
  • Skills for current workforce development
  • New entrant support and career pathway development

What They Don't Fund

  • Training for non-construction related activities
  • Companies not registered with CITB
  • Employers with outstanding levy payments
  • Training providers not approved by CITB (must be Approved Training Organisations)
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Governance and Leadership

Chief Executive: Tim Balcon (since September 2021) - Former apprentice with 25+ years in skills development. Key quote: “For too long, there have been too many hoops for employers to jump through to gain access to training and funding.”

Board of Trustees: Five new trustees appointed April 2024 including Nikki Davis (CEO, Leeds College of Building), Julia Heap (CEO, Hopwood Hall College), and Herman Kok (Company Secretary, Lindum Group).

Executive Team: Includes Adrian (Strategy and Policy Director), Deb (18-year CITB veteran in employer engagement), and Kirsty (Executive Principal, National Construction College).

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  • Skills and Training Fund: Excel application form to skills.training@citb.co.uk
  • Standard Grants: Online portal for registered employers
  • Apprenticeships: Online service for National Construction College programs
  • All applications: Must be CITB registered and levy compliant

Decision Timeline

  • Skills and Training Fund: Applications reviewed and scored against criteria, quarterly payments
  • Standard Grants: Payment on course completion (within 52 weeks for NVQs)
  • Apprenticeships: Continuous intake with team support provided

Success Rates

80% qualification achievement rate at National Construction College. Over 72,000 apprenticeship grants issued since 2020, supporting over 38,000 individuals.

Reapplication Policy

Skills and Training Fund allows two applications within 12 months. Standard grants have no published restrictions for reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Key success factors based on CEO guidance:

  • Simplicity Focus: “Accessing training is not made easy - training availability and the different options are really complicated to understand and then funding is even more difficult to access”
  • Industry Alignment: Demonstrate clear connection to construction skills needs and current industry priorities (Net Zero, digitisation, MMC)
  • Training Provider Compliance: Must use CITB Approved Training Organisations
  • Levy Compliance: All levy payments must be current before application
  • Evidence-Based Approach: Strong documentation of training completion and outcomes required
  • Local Adviser Engagement: Medium businesses encouraged to discuss applications with local CITB advisers

Recent successful funding examples focus on leadership development, digital skills, sustainable construction methods, and apprenticeship programs delivering practical construction skills.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Prioritize Compliance: Ensure CITB registration and levy payments are current before applying
  • Use Approved Providers: Only CITB Approved Training Organisations are eligible for grant funding
  • Focus on Strategic Priorities: Align applications with Net Zero, digitisation, and modern construction methods
  • Leverage Local Support: Medium business applicants should engage with local CITB advisers for guidance
  • Plan for Evidence: Prepare comprehensive documentation systems for training completion and outcomes
  • Consider Timing: Skills and Training Fund closes September 2025 - apply early for this high-value program
  • Emphasize Industry Impact: Demonstrate how training addresses broader construction industry skills gaps and challenges

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