From April 1st 2026, CITB have introduced new changes to the distributions of funded training, updating the Employer Network offering and introducing the Large Employer fund.
Employer Network Funding Update
Since the launch of the Employer Networks in 2024, as a one of the UK's leading CITB Approved Training Organisations, Alpha Safety Training has supported over 100 CITB registered companies through Employer Network funded training. Our work with the CITB Employer Network fund has provided crucial accredited training to address the skill requirements to 1055 learners, saving employers £154,897 in funded training during the process.
From 1st April 2026, CITB registered employers ranging between 1 and 249 employees will continue to access training support via the Employer Network.
Funding will continue to support applicable training at 50% match funding, or for specific health and safety courses at a fixed contribution. From April 2026, CITB has further introduced spending caps reflective of the amount of direct employees within the business.
Micro (1-9 Employees)
Spending cap of £1,500
Small (10-49 employees)
Spending cap of £2,000
Medium (50-249 employees)
Spending cap of £4,500
How can I utilise funding from the Employer Network?
The Employer Network is available for CITB registered employers with up to date levy returns. For more information regarding the initiative please click here.
What courses can I access through the CITB Employer Network?
With no administrative paperwork or post course financial grant delays, the Employer Network was designed to provide employers with flexibility and more control over the training they wish to fund. CITB can match fund 'in-scope' courses such as NPORS, City & Guilds and PASMA at 50% of the course fee. Mandatory Health & Safety courses are funded at a fixed rate rate found here.
How is a course booked & funded through the Employer Network?
Employers will work closely with their local advisor to identify the training required, preferred locations and dates. This training will then be processed by the CITB booking team and sent for processing to Alpha. Once booked, CITB cover 50% of the course fees and the remaining 50% is invoiced to the employer. Or for specific Health & Safety courses such as Site Safety Plus, funding is allocated at a fixed rate found here
Alternatively, we can also support your training needs enquiry and signpost you to the Network with preferred course dates.
Does it cost to join the Employer Network?
No! Joining the network is completely free for all CITB registered employers with up to date levy returns. To register for the employer network scheme click here.
How do I find my local CITB advisor?
Your CITB local advisor will recommend how funding should be prioritised and allocated, and to effectively maximise spending to support your training needs. To find your advisor, please head here.
Large Employer Fund Update
From April 2026, Large CITB registered employers, who directly employ 250 or more people, will no longer be able to access Employer Networks.
CITB have instead established the Large Employer Fund for 2026-2027 which will provide applicable employers with up to £18,000 to spend on 'in-scope' training. The funding will be issued on a training plan or reciept of evidenced training and must be completed by 31st March 2027.
Large employers can submit interest in the newly formed funding between 1st April 2026 to 30th June 2026 via an 'expression form' available on the CITB website from 1st April 2026.
Additional support available...
Grant Funding
CITB approved organisations can continue to reclaim grant on eligible course standards.
A range of short duration courses including Plant Operations, Scaffolding and other specialist courses are still eligible for CITB grant funding, including our IPAF MEWP Operator courses.
Local CITB Advisors
We remain committed to working alongside your local CITB advisors to ensure the very best advice and support for your training needs. Your advisors are on hand to support in diagnosing skills gaps whilst providing advice and signposting on means of funded training. For CITB employers based in Wales, your local advisors are as below:
- Jon Davies (Swansea, South Powys & SA14-17 Carmarthenshire)
- Ross Baker (Neath Port Talbot & Rhondda Cynon Taf)
- Harry Paterson (Cardiff, Monmouthsire, Newport & Torfaen)
- John Evans (Bridgend, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil, Blaenau Gwent & Vale of Glamorgan)
- Sheila Holmes (SA18 + Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire & Ceredigion)
For support outside of Wales, please head here.
Regional Training Groups
Member of a regional training group?
Good news, if you've subscribed to a Construction training group, you can take full advantage of the many benefits the Group Training Officer (GTO's) can offer you.
Alpha Safety works closely in collaboration with many of the regional training groups, allowing members access to professional & friendly advice alongside discounted training rates provided by Alpha Safety for your skills needs. If you are already subscribed to your local group please do reach out to your GTO. If not but you'd like to find out more, contact your local group using the details below:
Construction Training Group GTO Contacts:
CCTAL (Carmarthenshire Construction Training Association)
Swansea Bay Construction Support Group (SBCSG)
Capital Construction Training Group
Wales National Roofing Training Group
Four Construction Training Group
Dyfed Training Group
Gwent Construction Training Group
Gloucestershire Construction Training Group
Alpha Safety Training Support - PLA Funding
Last, but certainly not least, Alpha Safety training are proud to work in collaboration with Coleg y Cymoedd to support eligible learners fully funded RTITB training, via PLA funding.
Providing you meet the PLA funding criteria, you can access funded RTITB courses such as our Novice Counterbalance Forklift training. For full details on the funding criteria required, please click HERE where you'll find all the information you need.
Why are CITB introducing these changes?
CITB state that construction is facing a pivotal moment, with over £600 million in Government backing to tackle the skills shortages needed to address up to 60,000 more workers in the industry. CITB highlight that demand for training has never been greater, with a 36% rise in employer engagement in schemes such as the Employer Networks.
CITB highlight this growth reflects positive momentum within the industry, which needs to be equally matched with sustainable management of funded training throughout the sector.
For the full release from CITB, please head here.
We remain commited to supporting our CITB registered employers as well as all of our valued partners and learners with the highest level of quality accredited training in each way possible.
For more support on funding...
