How to Claim CITB Grants for Training in 2026

Q: Can I use Employer Network funding and the achievement grant together?

Yes. Employer Network funding can be used alongside other CITB funding routes, provided you don't use multiple funding sources for the same course. For example, you could use Employer Network funding for an SMSTS course and separately claim the £600 achievement grant when an employee completes an NVQ Level 6.

When You Book Multiple Courses.

If you’re a construction employer who pays the CITB Levy, you’re entitled to claim funding back to offset the cost of training your workforce. But the way you claim has changed significantly since January 2026 — and if you’re still trying to use the old system, you could be missing out.

In this guide, we explain exactly how to claim CITB grants in 2026, step by step. We cover the new Employer Network process for short courses like SMSTS, SSSTS and Temporary Works Coordinator, the flat achievement grant for NVQ qualifications, and the transitional arrangements still available for training booked before December 2025.

If you haven’t already read our breakdown of what changed and why, start with our CITB Grant Funding Changes 2026 guide first — it covers the full background. This article focuses on the practical steps you need to take to actually get your money.

Who Can Claim CITB Grants?

To claim any form of CITB grant or training funding, your business must meet all three of the following criteria:

1. Registered with CITB. Your company must be registered with the Construction Industry Training Board. If you’re not yet registered, you can do so via the CITB website or by calling their customer services team on 0344 994 4455.

2. Up to date with your Levy Return. You must have submitted your annual Levy Return and be current with any payments due. The Levy rates for 2025–2026 assessments are 0.35% on payroll staff and 1.25% on net CIS subcontractor payments. If your total wage bill is under £80,000 annually, you won’t need to pay the Levy — but you should still register.

3. Not subject to any CITB sanctions. Your account must be in good standing with no outstanding compliance issues.

If you meet these requirements, you can access funding for eligible training completed by your employees at an approved provider like Target Zero Training. As a CITB Approved Training Organisation (ATO), we handle much of the administrative process on your behalf.

The Two Funding Routes in 2026

Since 8 January 2026, there are two distinct ways to access CITB funding for training, depending on the type of course:

Route 1: Employer Network Funding (Short Courses)

This is the main route for short courses including SMSTS, SSSTS, SMSTS Refresher, SSSTS Refresher, Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC), Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS), CITB Health and Safety Awareness, SEATS, Directors Role for Health and Safety, NEBOSH and IOSH Managing Safely.

The standard CITB grant scheme no longer funds these courses. Instead, all funding is delivered through CITB Employer Networks.

Route 2: Achievement Grants (NVQ Qualifications)

For longer qualifications such as NVQ Level 6 in Construction Site Management, NVQ Level 6 Contracting Operations, NVQ Level 6 Occupational Health and Safety and NVQ Level 7 in Construction Senior Management, a flat achievement grant of £600 is paid on completion. This is claimed through the CITB Online Services portal.

How to Claim Through an Employer Network: Step by Step

The Employer Network is now the primary funding route for most construction training courses. Here’s exactly how to access it.

Step 1: Check You’re Eligible

Confirm your business is registered with CITB and that your Levy Return is up to date. You can check your account status by logging into the CITB Online Services portal at myportal.citb.co.uk or by calling CITB Customer Services on 0344 994 4455.

Step 2: Join Your Local Employer Network

Employer Networks are free to join. There is no paperwork, no funding agreement to sign, and no limit on how many employers can be in a network. To join, contact your local CITB adviser — you can find them via the “In Your Local Area” page on the CITB website, or ask us and we’ll point you in the right direction.

Employer Networks are available across all regions of Great Britain. Whether your team trains at our Stratford, Chelmsford, Barking, Peterborough, Crawley or Sheffield venue — or online — your local network can support the booking.

Step 3: Tell Your CITB Adviser What Training You Need

Once you’re in a network, your CITB adviser will work with you to identify your training needs. Simply let them know which courses you need, how many delegates, and your preferred dates. You can nominate Target Zero Training as your chosen ATO — just provide our details and your adviser will handle the rest.

CITB recommends planning training no more than three months ahead through the Employer Network system, as bookings further out tend to change. There’s no need to plan a full year in advance like some other funding routes require.

Step 4: Your Adviser Books the Training

Your CITB adviser arranges the booking and confirms the funding. Under the current Employer Network model, CITB contributes towards the cost of the training. For most health and safety courses, funding is set at 30% of CITB’s calculated average market rate. For other eligible courses, funding may cover up to 50% of costs.

You pay the remaining balance directly to the training provider.

Step 5: Complete the Training

Your delegates attend the course as normal. As a CITB ATO, Target Zero reports the achievement to CITB’s Construction Training Register (CTR) on completion. There is no separate claim form for you to submit — the process is handled between your adviser, the network, and the training provider.

Step 6: Funding Is Applied

The Employer Network funding is typically applied at the point of booking rather than claimed retrospectively. This means you see the reduced price upfront rather than paying full price and waiting for a reimbursement.

Current Employer Network Funding Rates (2026)

The funding rates through Employer Networks have been significantly reduced compared to the old grant scheme. Here’s what you can expect for the most popular courses:

SMSTS (5-day) — £115 funding (previously up to £240 via grants or £378 via the old Employer Network rate)
SSSTS (2-day) — £115 funding
Temporary Works Coordinator — £115 funding
SMSTS Refresher (2-day) — Funded at 30% of average market rate
SSSTS Refresher (1-day) — Funded at 30% of average market rate
CITB Health and Safety Awareness — Funded at 30% of average market rate
Asbestos Awareness — £60 funding
First Aid courses — No longer funded (removed entirely from January 2026)

These rates apply to health and safety-related short courses, which are now funded at 30% of CITB’s calculated average market rate rather than the previous 70% match funding. For employers running multiple staff through training each year, the difference adds up quickly. You can view the full list of funded courses and rates on the CITB website.

How to Claim NVQ Achievement Grants

If you’re investing in longer qualifications for your team, the claiming process is different from short courses.

What’s Changed for NVQs in 2026

From January 2026, all non-apprenticeship NVQ completions attract a flat achievement grant of £600, regardless of the qualification level. This applies to Level 2 through Level 6. Previously, higher-level qualifications attracted significantly larger grants — for example, manager-level NVQs attracted up to £1,500. The move to a flat £600 rate represents a substantial reduction for employers investing in senior qualifications.

Two other important changes to be aware of:

Attendance grants have been removed. Under the old system, employers could claim grants during the course of an NVQ programme. These no longer exist. The £600 is paid only on completion.

Level 7 qualifications are no longer supported for new starters. Any NVQ Level 7 programme starting from 8 January 2026 onwards will not receive CITB grant funding. Transitional arrangements apply for learners who started before that date — but employers must notify CITB by 31 March 2026 to secure this funding.

How to Claim the £600 NVQ Achievement Grant

Step 1: Ensure your business is registered with CITB and has grant access on the CITB Online Services portal. If you don’t have an account, sign up at the CITB Online Services page and request grant access using your 7-digit CITB registration number.

Step 2: Once your employee completes their NVQ, log into the CITB Online Services portal and navigate to the grant section.

Step 3: Submit your claim within 52 weeks of the achievement date. You can make an individual claim (single learner) or a bulk claim (multiple learners). You’ll need the learner’s details and proof of achievement — typically a certificate or notification from the awarding body.

Step 4: If you’re unable to use the online portal, you can download an application form from the CITB website and email it to grant.claimforms@citb.co.uk with a copy of the achievement certificate.

Step 5: CITB processes the claim and pays the grant via BACS. Payment is typically received within four weeks of submission.

As a CITB ATO, Target Zero reports NVQ achievements directly to the Construction Training Register. In many cases, grant payments are processed automatically once the achievement is recorded — but we always recommend checking your account to confirm.

Transitional Arrangements: Claiming for Training Booked Before December 2025

If you booked training before 8 December 2025, you may still be able to claim at the higher, pre-January 2026 grant rates. Here’s what you need to know.

Training completed before 8 January 2026: You can still claim at the previous grant rates through the CITB Online Services portal or via your ATO. No additional action is needed beyond the standard claiming process.

Training booked before 8 December 2025 but completed between 8 January and 31 March 2026: You can still receive the old grant rates, but you must provide evidence of the original booking date. CITB will make an application form available on their short course grants page — include all eligible courses in a single application. Only one application per employer will be accepted, and the final deadline for submission is 31 March 2027.

NVQ learners who started before 8 December 2025: Transitional attendance grant arrangements may apply, but employers must notify CITB by 31 March 2026 to secure this funding. Don’t miss this deadline.

Courses Still Eligible for Standard Grant Claims

A small number of specialist courses remain eligible for direct grant claims through the standard CITB grants scheme, bypassing the Employer Network entirely. These include Plant Operations courses, Scaffolding courses, CPCS technical tests, and a limited number of other specialist standards. The full list is maintained on the CITB website under short course grants.

For these courses, the claiming process hasn’t changed. If your training provider is a CITB ATO or Training Provider Network (TPN) member, the grant is paid automatically following the achievement being recorded on the Construction Training Register. If your provider is not yet an ATO or TPN member, you can submit a manual claim through the CITB Online Services portal within 52 weeks of the achievement date.

How Target Zero Can Help

As a CITB Approved Training Organisation, NEBOSH Learning Partner (Silver 1491) and IOSH approved provider, Target Zero Training makes the funding process as straightforward as possible for employers.

When you book training with us, we automatically report all achievements to the CITB Construction Training Register, which triggers grant payments where applicable. We can also help you connect with your local CITB adviser and Employer Network if you haven’t already joined one.

We deliver the full range of grant-eligible courses including SMSTS, SSSTS, SMSTS Refresher, SSSTS Refresher, Temporary Works Coordinator, Temporary Works Supervisor, Health and Safety Awareness, SEATS, Directors Role, NEBOSH General Certificate, IOSH Managing Safely and NVQ qualifications from Level 2 to Level 7.

Courses are available at our venues across England — Chelmsford, Stratford (London), Barking, Waltham Abbey, Peterborough, Crawley and Sheffield — and as live online training delivered by the same experienced tutors via Zoom.

We also offer interest-free payment plans through Klarna, PayPal Pay Later and Clearpay, plus a 10% discount when you book with a friend or team member. For group bookings, call us on 01245 379496 or email sales@targetzerogroup.co.uk.

Key Deadlines to Remember

31 March 2026 — Deadline for employers to notify CITB about NVQ learners who started before 8 December 2025 and wish to claim transitional attendance grants.

31 March 2026 — Large employers (over 250 employees) will lose access to Employer Network funding. CITB plans to launch a new funding offer for large employers from 1 April 2026.

31 March 2027 — Final deadline to submit transitional grant claims for short courses booked before 8 December 2025 and completed between 8 January and 31 March 2026.

Within 52 weeks of achievement — All NVQ achievement grant claims must be submitted within 52 weeks of the qualification completion date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still claim CITB grants for SMSTS and SSSTS courses?

Not through the standard grant scheme. From January 2026, SMSTS and SSSTS courses are funded through CITB Employer Networks at reduced rates. You’ll need to join your local Employer Network and book through your CITB adviser to access this funding. SMSTS and SSSTS are each funded at £115 per delegate through the network.

How much is the NVQ grant in 2026?

A flat achievement grant of £600 is available for all completed NVQ qualifications from Level 2 to Level 6. This is paid on completion only — attendance grants during the programme are no longer available. Level 7 qualifications starting from January 2026 are no longer supported.

Is there still CITB funding for First Aid training?

No. First Aid training has been removed from CITB funding entirely. There is no grant or Employer Network support available for First Aid courses booked from 8 January 2026 onwards. This includes First Aid at Work, Emergency First Aid at Work and Mental Health First Aid.

How long does it take to receive a CITB grant payment?

For grants claimed through the CITB Online Services portal, payment is typically received within four weeks of submission via BACS. For automatic grant payments triggered by ATO reporting, allow up to one month from the achievement being recorded on the Construction Training Register.

Do I need to pay the full course price and then claim back?

It depends on the route. For Employer Network funding, the contribution is usually applied at the point of booking — so you pay a reduced price upfront rather than the full amount. For NVQ achievement grants, the £600 is paid after the qualification is completed, so there is a delay between paying for the course and receiving the grant.

Can self-employed subcontractors claim CITB grants?

If you’re self-employed but work for a CITB-registered employer, that employer can claim the grant for your training. You cannot claim directly as an individual — grants are paid to the registered employer. If your employer is CITB-registered, speak to them about accessing funding for your SMSTS, SSSTS or NVQ training.

What is the CITB Levy rate in 2026?

The Levy rate is unchanged at 0.35% on payroll staff and 1.25% on net CIS subcontractor payments. Businesses with a total wage bill under £80,000 are exempt from payment. The recent funding changes are about how the Levy income is distributed, not how much employers pay.

Can I use Employer Network funding and the achievement grant together?

Employer Network funding can be used alongside other CITB funding routes, provided you don’t use multiple funding sources for the same course. For example, you could use Employer Network funding for an SMSTS course and separately claim the £600 achievement grant when an employee completes an NVQ Level 6.

Need help navigating CITB funding? Call Target Zero Training on 01245 379496 — we’re available 8am to 10pm, Monday to Saturday. We’ll help you understand what funding is available for your team and get your training booked.