Funding and Incentives

Employers registered with CITB and up to date with levy returns may be eligible to claim additional grants.

Apprenticeship Grants – England

CITB provides grants to support employers throughout an apprenticeship.

Grants include:

• Attendance grants paid at set stages during the apprenticeship

• An achievement grant paid on successful completion

The apprentice must be employed by a CITB registered, levy-paying employer and completing an approved construction apprenticeship standard.

Full grant rates and eligibility criteria are available via CITB.

Short Qualification Grant

This applies to many Level 2 and Level 3 vocational qualifications, including most NVQs.

CITB provides a fixed grant payment for eligible short qualifications achieved by employees.

Eligibility requirements:

• Employer must be CITB registered and levy-paying

• Qualification must be on the approved short qualification list

• The learner must be employed in the construction industry

Grant is paid on successful completion.

Long Qualification Grant

This applies to higher-level construction qualifications such as HNCs, HNDs and approved Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs).

CITB provides staged grant payments for eligible long qualifications.

Eligibility requirements:

• Employer must be CITB registered and levy-paying

• Qualification must be approved under the long qualification framework

• The learner must be employed in a relevant construction role

Payments are made in instalments across the duration of the qualification.

CITB provides Travel to Train support for apprentices who must attend block training and stay away from home.

Funding includes:

• 80% of accommodation and subsistence costs for approved block training

• Reimbursement of apprentice travel costs where weekly travel exceeds the CITB threshold

Accommodation must be booked through CITB’s approved provider.

This funding is available to apprentices employed by CITB registered, levy-paying employers in England, Scotland and Wales.

Eligible newly employed individuals, including apprentices, may be able to access discounted public transport through local schemes such as Workwise in the West Midlands.

Eligibility criteria apply and applicants must apply directly through the scheme provider.

Major new apprenticeship incentives have just been announced, giving employers like you more financial support than ever to bring in fresh talent and grow your workforce.

£3000 Youth Jobs Grant
Receive £3,000 for hiring a young person aged 18 – 24 who has been on Universal Credit for at least six months. Starts June 2026.*

£2000 Apprenticeship Incentive (SMEs only)
From October 2026, SMEs hiring apprentices aged 16 – 24 will receive £2,000, paid in two instalments.*

£1000 Existing Government Support
If your apprentice is aged 16 -18 or 19 – 24 with an EHC plan or care background – you’ll continue to receive an additional £1,000.*

CITB – Funding for Construction Employers
Construction employers may also be eligible for CITB support, including apprenticeship grants and up to 50% match‑funded training through CITB Employer Networks (with funding caps based on business size).*

Stackable Incentives
Some incentives can be combined, meaning businesses could receive up to £5,000 for a single apprentice hire depending on eligibility.*

No Employer National Insurance
You’ll pay zero employer NI contributions for apprentices under 25, keeping your costs even lower.
* Subject to meeting funding and eligibility criterias.

Why Now?
The apprenticeship system is undergoing the biggest transformation in a decade, with the government investing heavily to support employer recruitment, tackle skills shortages and create over 200,000 new jobs for young people. Did you know that, on average, UK employers see an estimated yearly gain of between £2,500 and £18,000 per apprentice during their training period?

Apprentice outputs typically exceed their associated costs, delivering a net benefit to employers while training is underway – and this value is likely to increase further once the apprentice completes their programme, as productivity rises and training costs fall away.

This makes now the ideal moment to recruit, upskill, and build your future workforce while taking advantage of these generous funding opportunities.

Funding rules can change, and eligibility depends on employer size, apprentice age and qualification type.

If you would like support understanding what your business may be entitled to claim, please contact our Business Training Solutions Team on 01922 663600 or email info@constructioncollege.co.uk.

We are happy to guide you through the process.