CITB Grants and Funding

Major overhaul has ended short-duration training grants and ARCA's grant claiming service

Significant changes to CITB's grants and funding programme came into effect in January 2026, representing the most substantial overhaul of the funding arrangements in recent years and affecting the majority of levy-paying construction employers, including many ARCA members.

The changes followed a 36% increase in the number of employers supported by CITB since 2021, whilst levy rates remained unchanged. With demand for financial support set to exceed levy income, CITB redesigned the scheme to ensure long-term sustainability.

Short-Duration Course Grants Withdrawn

Most short-duration training courses no longer attract grants through CITB's traditional Grants Scheme. Support is now delivered exclusively through CITB's Employer Networks, with match funding of 50% for eligible courses.

This represents an important change to how ARCA supports members with grant claims. Previously, as a CITB Approved Training Organisation, ARCA uploaded grant claims directly on behalf of members for asbestos training courses including new and refresher courses for Operatives, Supervisors and Licensed Contract Managers. Grants were paid directly into members' bank accounts within four weeks, with minimal administration required from the member company.

ARCA has now processed the final grant claims under the old system, including all transitional arrangements for training booked by 8th December 2025 and completed before the end of March 2026.

Under the new arrangements, this streamlined service is no longer available for most short-duration courses.

There are notable exceptions to this change. Plant operations, scaffolding and other specialist courses continue to receive support, though employers must now work through their local CITB adviser to access funding.

Health and safety in construction courses receive support at 30% of the average market rate under the new arrangements. However, First Aid training is no longer supported.

Qualification Funding Simplified

Achievement grants for qualifications below Level 7 are now standardised at £600, regardless of qualification level. This represents a simplification from the previous tiered system but has resulted in reduced funding for some higher-level qualifications.

ARCA members will still need to claim these achievement grants directly with CITB after candidates successfully complete their NVQ qualifications, as that process remains unchanged.

Impact on Large Employers

Organisations with 250 or more employees face additional changes. These larger employers will lose access to Employer Network funding after 31st March 2026, with CITB planning to launch a new large employer fund from 1st April 2026.

What This Means for ARCA Members

For the majority of ARCA Full Contracting Members who pay the CITB levy, these changes have required a shift in how training is planned and funded.

In recent years, ARCA has claimed thousands of pounds in grants on behalf of levy-paying members, uploading hundreds of individual grant claims annually. This service, which required minimal effort from members, was a significant benefit of ARCA membership for levy-paying companies.

With the withdrawal of grants for most short-duration courses, this service is no longer available for the majority of asbestos training. Members now need to contact their local CITB adviser directly to access the new Employer Network funding for eligible courses.

The Skills and Training Fund has already been closed to new applications on 30th September 2025.

Looking Forward

ARCA members seeking training through CITB Employer Network funding should first check the ARCA website to confirm their preferred training dates are available. If your preferred dates are not currently scheduled, please contact ARCA before applying for funding, as we may be able to arrange alternative dates for you. Following this, members should contact their local CITB adviser who will book the course on their behalf. CITB will cover 50% of the course fee through the Employer Network fund, with ARCA invoicing members directly for the remaining 50%.

With regards to the Employer Network fund, please note that it operates on a fixed annual budget. We therefore recommend early engagement with your CITB adviser to secure the funding you need.

CITB has published detailed FAQs and webinar recordings to help employers understand the changes. Further information and contact details for local CITB advisers can be found at www.citb.co.uk/about-citb/what-we-do/citb-in-your-local-area/.

For queries about how these changes affect your ARCA training, contact Training Admin Team, on 01283 505777.