Understanding CITB Short Course Grants: A Guide for Construction Industry Professionals
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) plays an important role in developing skills across the construction sector through its comprehensive short-course grants programme. This financial support system is designed to encourage continuous professional development and ensure the industry maintains high training standards.
Accessing the Grants Program
CITB-registered employers can access these grants provided they maintain current Levy Returns and adhere to the Grants Scheme policy. The programme's inclusive approach extends support to directly employed staff, business owners, partners, and subcontractors, creating a broad foundation for industry-wide skills development.
Applications must be submitted within 52 weeks of course completion, ensuring timely processing and maintaining administrative efficiency. This timeframe provides ample opportunity for organisations to complete necessary paperwork while keeping the process current and relevant.
Training Standards and Delivery
The CITB maintains rigorous standards for course approval, focusing on essential construction skills through programmes typically for ‘New’ and ‘Refresher’ courses. All training must be delivered through a CITB Approved Training Organisation (ATO), such as ARCA, which are listed in the Construction Training Directory. This approved status ensures consistent quality across the asbestos removal industry.
Modern training delivery methods have been incorporated into the programme, offering flexibility through various learning approaches. Traditional classroom-based instruction remains a cornerstone, requiring full-duration attendance. However, recognising the evolving nature of education, the programme now accommodates remote options. For ARCA members this is remote training delivered by a trainer via our Zoom portal.
Grant Structure and Financial Support
As of April 2024, the grant structure operates on a three-tier system, providing varying levels of financial support based on course complexity and duration:
- Tier 1 courses receive £60 support
- Tier 2 courses are eligible for £140
- Tier 3 courses qualify for £240
The programme distinguishes between ‘New’ and ‘Refresher’ courses, each serving distinct purposes in maintaining professional competencies. New courses, which involve initial complete course completion, qualifying for full grants when completed within specified timeframes. Refresher courses update knowledge and practical skills that may have changed since your initial training or last Refresher.
Application and Payment Process
When working with ARCA, the process is streamlined: employers provide necessary attendee details and their CITB registration number, after which ARCA administration updates the Construction Training Register, triggering automatic grant payment processing.
Important Considerations and Limitations
Newly registered employers face an initial 35-grant cap in their first financial year, though this restriction lifts in subsequent years. All payments are processed via bank transfer, emphasising the importance of maintaining current banking information through the Bacs Direct Credit Authorisation Form.
Grant restrictions generally limit support to one grant per individual per course, though exceptions exist for required refreshers, covering individuals who undertake two Refresher or initial and Refresher courses within the 12-month restriction.
Looking Forward
The CITB grants scheme represents an important investment in the asbestos industry's future, providing essential financial support for skills development and professional growth. Regular updates to the programme ensure it remains relevant to industry needs while maintaining high training standards.
For optimal benefit from the scheme, members should maintain regular contact with the CITB website and work closely with ARCA. This approach ensures compliance with current requirements while maximising the value of available financial support for training initiatives.
Through this structured approach to training support, the CITB continues to strengthen the construction industry's skill base, preparing professionals for current challenges while building capacity for future development.