CITB has confirmed important changes from April 2026. If you are a large employer with 250 or more employees, there is a new funding route. If you are a micro, small or medium-sized employer, Employer Networks remain in place with annual caps and updated match funding rules.
Just announced by CITB: the Large Employer Fund for employers with 250 or more employees
From 1st April 2026, large employers (those with 250+ directly employed staff) will no longer book training through Employer Networks and will instead access support via CITB’s Large Employer Fund for 2026-27. CITB confirms an allocation of up to £18,000 for in‑scope training, paid either against an approved training plan or on receipt of evidence of training. This gives large employers the flexibility to use the allocation to fully cover or partially fund eligible costs up to their cap.
To access this fund, large employers must submit an Expression of Interest to access the fund. These can be submitted from 1st April to 30th June 2026 (Expression of Interest form will be available from 1st April). This is an interim offer while CITB works with industry on a longer‑term approach
What to do now
Start mapping your 2026-27 training priorities so you can make the best use of the £18,000 as soon as your adviser opens the process, and from the 1st April, fill out and submit your expression of interest form to CITB.
‘For more information on CITB’s Latest funding changes, visit their Funding Update Information page.
Also, Employer Networks will continue, but with caps and match funding for Micro, Small and Medium employers with 1 to 249 employees
Employer Networks remain the main route for short-duration training for employers with fewer than 250 employees. You plan training with your local CITB adviser, and funding is drawn from a budget that is managed throughout the year. Since 8th January 2026, most short courses have moved into Employer Networks, with Plant and Scaffolding remaining on the Short Course Grants route.
How the funding works
- Match funding: CITB funds 50% of eligible short-duration courses through Employer Networks.
- First Aid: not funded through Employer Networks.
- Plant and Scaffolding: still claimable through Short Course Grants outside Employer Networks.
2026-27 Employer Network budget and size-based caps
CITB has set the 2026-27 Employer Networks budget at £11.5 million and has introduced caps by employer size so that the funding supports as many businesses as possible.
- Micro (1 to 9 employees): £1,500
- Small (10 to 49 employees): £2,000
- Medium (50 to 249 employees): £4,500
Micro employers with 1 to 9 employees:
Your cap: £1,500 for 2026-27.
Good uses of Employer Network funding: short, construction-specific upskilling that keeps teams site-ready. Site Safety Plus courses such as HSA, SSSTS and SMSTS are supported via Employer Network benchmark contributions. You see the reduced price upfront rather than claiming after the course.
Tips from Boss Training
Prioritise compliance critical training first because Employer Networks are budget-led. Use Short Course Grants for Plant and Scaffolding so you preserve your Employer Network cap for other needs.
Small employers with 10 to 49 employees:
Your cap: £2,000 for 2026-27.
Funding shape: 50% match on eligible Employer Network courses, with Health and Safety supported by a fixed benchmark contribution. First Aid is not funded through Employer Networks.
Tips from Boss Training
Batch training where possible, and book early to secure support before local budgets tighten. CITB has already shown how quickly late-year budgets get fully committed. Keep Plant and Scaffolding on the grants route to stretch your Employer Network cap.
Medium employers with 50 to 249 employees:
Your cap: £4,500 for 2026-27.
Funding shape: 50% match for eligible Employer Network courses and a fixed benchmark contribution for Health and Safety. First Aid is not funded through Employer Networks.
Tips from Boss Training
Build a simple quarterly training calendar so you can phase delivery and avoid the year-end squeeze. In February, CITB confirmed that 2025-26 Employer Network budgets were fully committed before year-end, so early planning helps. Keep leadership and management short courses within Employer Networks where appropriate and use grants for Plant and Scaffolding.
Key Dates and Reminders
8th January 2026 – Most short-course support moved to Employer Networks. Plan through your CITB adviser.
1st April 2026 – Large employers switch to the Large Employer Fund. Micro, small and medium employers continue through Employer Networks with the new caps.
Between 1st April 2026 & 30th June 2026 – Large employers must submit their Expression of Interest to CITB to access the new Large Employer Funding.
All year – Employer Networks are budget-led, so book early to secure support in your area.
Frequently asked questions
Q. Who can use Employer Networks in 2026 to 2027?
Employer Networks remain available to employers with fewer than 250 employees. Large employers with 250 or more employees move to a separate route from April 2026.
Q. What are the annual caps for micro, small and medium employers?
CITB has set caps at £1,500 for micro employers with 1 to 9 employees, £2,000 for small employers with 10 to 49 employees, and £4,500 for medium employers with 50 to 249 employees for the 2026 to 2027 year.
Q. How does funding work through Employer Networks?
For eligible short-duration training, CITB funds 50% through Employer Networks. Health and Safety courses receive a fixed benchmark contribution rather than a percentage match. First Aid is not funded through Employer Networks.
Q. Which short courses still use the grants scheme rather than Employer Networks?
Plant and Scaffolding short courses remain eligible under the Short Course Grants scheme. These sit outside Employer Networks. For more informaiotn on which courses are covered, please visit CITB’s Short Courses page.
Q. What is the Large Employer Fund, and how much is available?
From 1 April 2026, large employers with 250 or more employees can access a Large Employer Fund for one year. The fund provides £18,000 for in-scope training during the 2026 to 2027 financial year. Payment is made against an approved plan or on receipt of training evidence.
Q. What counts as in-scope training under the Large Employer Fund?
CITB has stated that the allocation can be used on any in-scope training of the employer’s choice during 2026 to 2027, subject to the plan or evidence requirement. Your local adviser can confirm specific inclusions.
Q. When should I book training to avoid missing out on support?
Employer Networks are budget-led, and availability is managed across the year. CITB confirmed that late in the 2025 to 2026 year, the Employer Networks budget was fully committed for training before year-end. Book early and plan training from April onward to secure support.
Q. What other CITB support remains alongside Employer Networks and the Large Employer Fund?
CITB has confirmed that other support continues, including short course grants for Plant and Scaffolding, apprenticeship grants, Travel to Train, qualification achievement grants, and the Industry Impact Fund.
Q. Do I need to speak to a CITB adviser before booking?
Yes. CITB asks employers to work with their local adviser to identify needs and arrange bookings under the Employer Networks model. This helps ensure eligibility and funding availability before you commit. However, please contact our friendly team who will be able to help advise what the best route is and which of our courses you can get funded.
Need a hand?
We will map your training to the best value route, whether that is Employer Networks, Grants or the Large Employer Fund. We will handle the admin with your CITB adviser and get dates in the diary nationwide.
