The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has been active in 2026 with a series of changes that affect how training is funded, how competence is recognised, and how new workers enter the industry. For site managers, supervisors and employers booking courses such as SMSTS or SSSTS, the practical impact is most visible in the funding system, while longer-term proposals around skills recognition and a possible merger with the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) remain under discussion.
Funding Changes for Short Courses
The most immediate change for most employers is the restructuring of grants and funding that took effect from early 2026. CITB announced the reforms because demand for support had grown significantly while the levy rate had stayed the same, creating pressure on available funds.
From January 2026, most short-duration courses — including popular Site Safety Plus qualifications such as SMSTS, SSSTS, Temporary Works Coordinator and Health and Safety Awareness — are no longer supported through the main Grants Scheme. Instead, funding for these courses is primarily available through Employer Networks. These networks typically offer around 50% match funding or fixed benchmark contributions for eligible micro, small and medium employers (those with 1–249 employees). Plant operations, scaffolding and a limited number of specialist courses continue to attract traditional short-course grants. First Aid training is no longer supported at all.
Further adjustments applied from April 2026. Large employers moved onto a separate Large Employer Fund and lost access to Employer Networks funding. Achievement grants for non-apprenticeship qualifications were standardised at £600, and support for Level 7 qualifications (except certain apprenticeships) ended. These changes mean the financial contribution available for common courses such as SMSTS and SSSTS is generally lower than in previous years. Employers are advised to confirm current eligibility, rates and application routes directly with CITB or their local Employer Network before booking, rather than relying on older grant figures.
Consultation on Recognising On-the-Job Skills
In mid-October 2026, CITB launched a consultation on reforming the construction skills and competence system. The proposals explore the idea of “functional competence” — formally recognising that a worker is competent in specific tasks or functions they already perform on site (for example, installing solar panels within a roofing role) without requiring them to complete an entire new qualification.
CITB says the approach could reduce duplicated training, improve consistency and remove barriers for new entrants, career changers and experienced workers. The consultation is open until 15 January 2027 and invites feedback from employers, training providers, awarding bodies and card schemes. If the industry supports the direction, work to define functional competence requirements for individual occupations would begin through Competence Framework Working Groups from April 2027. No changes to existing Site Safety Plus certificates have been announced as part of this consultation.
Apprenticeships and New Entrants
CITB’s New Entrant Support Team (NEST) reported that it has supported more than 13,500 apprenticeship starts since it launched in September 2022. It has also assisted thousands of employers and existing apprentices. In 2024–25, NEST facilitated over 12% of all construction apprenticeship starts in Britain. The figures highlight ongoing efforts to increase the flow of new workers into the industry at a time when CITB’s workforce outlook continues to show a need for tens of thousands of additional workers each year.
Possible Merger with ECITB
Earlier in 2026 the Department for Work and Pensions consulted on a proposal to merge CITB with the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board into a single Industry Training Board. The consultation closed in June 2026. Industry responses were mixed; the Federation of Master Builders publicly opposed the idea, arguing that it could dilute the voice of smaller building firms. A final government decision and any subsequent timetable have not yet been widely confirmed. Northern Ireland’s CITB is separate and was not part of the consultation.
What This Means for Site Teams
For day-to-day operations, the funding changes are the most relevant development. When booking SMSTS, SSSTS or similar courses, confirm the current funding route and contribution level, plan for potentially higher net costs, and keep accurate records of bookings and achievements. Site Safety Plus certificates remain valid for five years with no grace period, so refresher dates still need careful tracking. Longer-term proposals around functional competence and a possible single training board may shape future routes into the industry, but they do not alter the immediate requirements for existing certificates or course delivery.
CITB’s official website remains the definitive source for current funding rules, Employer Network contacts and scheme updates. Checking eligibility before booking, and maintaining clear records of certificates and training, helps site teams stay compliant while the funding and skills landscape continues to evolve.
References
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CITB, “Funding changes information” (effective from 8 January 2026): https://www.citb.co.uk/levy-grants-and-funding/grants-and-funding/funding-changes-information
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CITB, “CITB announces changes to funding and grants” (8 December 2025): https://www.citb.co.uk/about-citb/news-events-and-blogs/citb-announces-changes-to-funding-and-grants/
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Federation of Master Builders, “Changes to CITB grants and funding in 2026: a guide for builders”: https://www.fmb.org.uk/resource/changes-to-citb-grants-and-funding-in-2026-a-guide-for-builders.html
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Planning, Building & Construction Today, “CITB launches consultation to reform construction skills system” (13 October 2026): https://www.pbctoday.co.uk/news/hr-skills-news/citb-launches-consultation-reform-construction-skills-system/166566/
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Roofing Today, “CITB Consults on Recognition of On-the-Job Construction Skills” (12 October 2026): https://roofingtoday.co.uk/citb-launches-consultation-on-plans-to-formally-recognise-on-the-job-construction-skills/
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Planning, Building & Construction Today, “CITB New Entrant Support Team celebrates over 13,500 apprenticeships” (14 October 2026): https://www.pbctoday.co.uk/news/hr-skills-news/citb-new-entrant-support-team-celebrates-milestone-over-13500-apprenticeships/166618/
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Project Scotland, “Latest figures reveal impact of CITB’s new entrant initiative” (14 October 2026): https://projectscot.com/2026/10/latest-figures-reveal-impact-of-citbs-new-entrant-initiative/
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GOV.UK, “Government outlines proposed reforms of Industry Training Boards to boost skills” (23 March 2026): https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-outlines-reforms-of-industry-training-boards-to-boost-construction-and-engineering-skills
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Federation of Master Builders, “FMB says NO to merger between CITB and ECITB” (15 June 2026): https://www.fmb.org.uk/resource/fmb-says-no-to-merger-between-citb-and-ecitb.html
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CITB, “Department for Work and Pensions launches consultation on CITB and ECITB forming a single body” (23 March 2026): https://www.citb.co.uk/about-citb/news-events-and-blogs/department-for-work-and-pensions-launches-consultation-on-citb-and-ecitb/