by admin | Dec 10, 2025 | CITB Grants, Safety Update
CITB Funding Changes for 2026: What Levy-Paying Employers Need to Know
CITB announced significant changes to its grant and funding system on 8 December 2025, with new rules coming into force from 8 January 2026. The announcement arrived suddenly, and CITB has acknowledged that the timing is far from ideal so close to Christmas. However, these changes are being introduced to ensure that Levy income can continue to support the growing number of employers seeking grant-funded training.
For many levy-paying businesses, this update will feel disruptive, especially if you are in the middle of planning training for early 2026. At All Star Safety Ltd, we want to provide clarity on what these changes mean and help you continue to get the most from your levy contributions over the coming months.
We have reviewed the CITB announcement and the dedicated funding changes page, and the key points employers need to be aware of are summarised below.
What happens to bookings already made?
The date of booking is now essential.
✔ Bookings made before 8 December 2025
If you made and can evidence a confirmed training booking before 8 December, and the training takes place between 8 January and 31 March 2026, these will still be honoured under the previous grant rates.
CITB introduced this protection to avoid penalising employers who had legitimately planned ahead for early 2026.
✔ Bookings made on or after 8 December 2025
Anything booked from this date onwards, regardless of delivery date, will follow the new funding rules explained below.
This transitional period runs until 31 March 2026.
Key changes employers need to understand
Short course funding is changing dramatically
From 8 January 2026, short course training will no longer be supported through the Grants Scheme, except for:
All other short course support will move to the Employer Network (EN). This means:
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Funds are drawn from your region’s fixed annual Employer Network budget.
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Support is matched at 50% of eligible course cost.
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Health & Safety, construction, and associated training will be supported at 30% of CITB’s average market rate.
It is expected that EN budgets will be under pressure quickly, so early planning for 2026 is highly advisable.
Qualification grant changes
Although CITB is tightening short course funding, there are some important positives:
The £600 achievement grant for NVQs continues.
For employers investing in upskilling supervisors, plant operators, lifting teams, or managers, this is still a strong return on investment.
At All Star Safety Ltd, our full suite of NVQs — including Plant Operations, Lifting Operations, Occupational Work Supervision, Health and Safety, and Construction Site Management — remains fully eligible.
✘ Attendance grants for long qualifications are being removed
These will no longer be paid.
✘ Level 7 qualifications (non-apprenticeship) will no longer be grant supported
This does not affect Scottish Advanced Craft or Level 7 Apprenticeships.
First Aid training will no longer receive CITB grant support
First Aid courses are specifically listed as no longer fundable under the revised model.
However, we continue to offer high-quality, great-value training at our Ipswich centre or at your site:
Despite the loss of grant funding, these remain essential qualifications for maintaining safe sites and meeting legal requirements.
If you wish to run First Aid through the Employer Network, you must contact your local CITB adviser and specify that you want All Star Safety Ltd to deliver the training.
Why CITB is making these changes
Since 2021, CITB has seen a 36% increase in the number of employers receiving grant funding — without any increase in Levy income. Demand is now on track to exceed the available budget.
To prevent overspend and ensure fairness across the industry, CITB is focusing funding on areas that deliver the greatest long-term impact. The changes also give CITB tighter control over budgets through regional Employer Networks.
While the timing is challenging, the reasoning is understandable, and we expect 2026 to be a year of adjustment across the sector.
What employers should do next
1. Plan 2026 training early
Employer Network budgets will be finite. If you want support for short courses, contact your CITB adviser sooner rather than later.
2. Keep evidence of pre-8 December bookings
This is vital if you want those bookings honoured under the old grant rates.
3. Continue to use NVQs strategically
With the £600 achievement grant remaining in place, NVQs will form an important part of training investment in 2026.
4. Speak to us if you’re unsure how your training plans are affected
We work closely with CITB advisers and can help you secure the right route for funding support.
Attend a CITB webinar for further guidance
CITB is hosting four live Zoom sessions next week so employers and providers can ask questions directly to the Executive Team:
Webinar registration link:
https://webinars.citbevents.co.uk/home
Available sessions:
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All Employers Webinar — 16 December, 6.30pm–7.30pm
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Large Employers Webinar — 17 December, 8.30am–9.30am
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All Employers Webinar — 17 December, 10am–11am
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Training Providers Webinar — 17 December, 12.30pm–1.30pm
We strongly encourage levy-registered employers to join one of these sessions.
How All Star Safety Ltd will support you
Despite the sudden nature of the announcement, we are already adapting our 2026 planning to make sure our employers continue to get the best possible value from their CITB levy.
We will:
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Help you plan your training calendar strategically for 2026.
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Advise you which qualifications remain fundable.
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Support bookings made through your local CITB adviser.
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Ensure you maximise every grant you’re entitled to.
If you’re unsure how the changes affect your team, we’re here to help.
by admin | Dec 5, 2025 | CITB Grants, First Aid, IOSH, NVQs
Book any course, NVQ or IOSH Managing Safely eLearning before 31 December and get an exclusive 10% discount with our EarlyBird2026 code.
As the year draws to a close, many construction businesses are already planning their training requirements for 2026. Whether it’s upskilling teams, renewing blue CPCS cards through NVQs, or investing in IOSH training for managers and supervisors, this is a good moment to lock in what you need before the new year starts — and benefit from a saving at the same time.
To help companies and individuals get ahead, All Star Safety Ltd is running an Early Bird promotion on all bookings made by 31 December 2025. If you book any of the following before the deadline and complete the checkout through our website, you can apply the voucher code EarlyBird2026 for a discount:
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Classroom courses delivered at our Suffolk Enterprise Centre office or at client premises
- Our virtual classroom training courses delivered via MS Teams
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All NVQs, including Plant Operations, Lifting Operations, Construction Site Management, Construction Contracting Operations and Occupational Health & Safety
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Our IOSH Managing Safely e-learning course, which launched earlier in 2025 and allows candidates to train flexibly at their own pace
The code is valid for all orders placed through our website, and should be entered during the checkout stage, so it will apply to every eligible course in your basket. You can book for yourself, for multiple employees, or on behalf of your organisation — the offer still applies.
Visit our website at the following link to find your course or NVQ:
https://www.allstarsafety.co.uk/
This promotion is particularly helpful for businesses working to year-end budgets, CITB LEVY planning, or companies scheduling workforce development well in advance. With rising demand across plant training, lifting operations and safety management, booking early also helps secure preferred dates before the peak rush in January and February.
If you’re unsure which qualification or course is the best fit, feel free to get in touch. We can help you match the right option to your experience, goals and compliance needs.
The offer ends at midnight on 31 December 2025, and the discount will only apply where the code EarlyBird2026 is entered at checkout, so make sure you add it before you complete your booking.
For any questions, you can reach us on 0330 133 0402 or 01473 561 402, or email info@allstarsafety.co.uk.
by admin | Aug 20, 2025 | CITB Grants, Safety Update
What Employers Need to Know and How All Star Safety Ltd Can Help
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has announced several key changes to how employers access funding for training. These updates aim to simplify the process, streamline support services, and improve accessibility for levy-registered employers. With the first changes going live in September 2025, now is the time to prepare.
Key Changes Announced by CITB
Launch of a New Online Grant Portal – 24 September 2025
CITB is launching a modernised online services platform to make grant applications easier and more transparent. The new system allows employers to:
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Apply for Apprenticeship and Qualification Grants online
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Track grant application status in real-time
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Manage account access with more control
Ahead of launch, CITB’s Customer Engagement team will offer guided support to help employers navigate the new system with confidence.
Closure of the Skills and Training (S&T) Fund – 30 September 2025
To reduce confusion and simplify routes to funding, Employer Networks (ENs) will become the single channel for business development support. The Skills and Training fund will close on 30 September 2025, and funding under this stream will shift to ENs going forward.
From this point, funding will also move to payment upon completion, rather than in advance.
Industry Accreditation Grant Uplift Ending Earlier Than Planned – Now 31 December 2025
The grant uplift for qualifications linked to Industry Accreditation card replacement—originally due to run until 31 March 2026—will now end early on 31 December 2025. After this date, grants for relevant NVQs will return to the standard £600 rate.
This change will have a direct impact on current learners working toward NVQs to replace blue, gold or black CSCS cards gained through Industry Accreditation (Grandfather Rights), as well as any new sign-ups in the coming months.
At All Star Safety Ltd, we are proactively monitoring this development and will communicate directly with all affected clients and training partners once we receive confirmation from CITB. Learners currently working through their qualifications should aim to complete before the December 2025 cut-off to ensure the enhanced funding is applied.
New £240 Grant Tier for Award-Level Qualifications – From September 2025
CITB will introduce a new grant tier of £240 for Award-level qualifications, which are typically shorter and less costly than full qualifications. The aim is to better align grant values with qualification structure and cost.
Closure of the ‘Suggest a Course’ Initiative
As Employer Networks are now well-established, CITB is closing the ‘Suggest a Course’ feature. Local employer input will now be gathered through ENs to shape training priorities and funding availability.
What This Means for Employers Working with All Star Safety Ltd
At All Star Safety Ltd, we are fully aligned with these CITB changes and ready to support your business in accessing the right funding and training:
✅ NVQ Training – We provide a wide range of CITB-approved NVQs that qualify for grant support, including blue and black card upgrades before the uplift ends.
✅ Guided Support for Funding Applications – We will continue working closely with employers to help plan, apply for, and deliver funded training efficiently under the new portal system.
✅ NPORS and First Aid – Our popular plant and health and safety training options remain eligible under EN and CITB grants.
✅ Upcoming IOSH Courses – From September 2025, we’ll be delivering IOSH Managing Safely, Working Safely, and Managing Safely e-learning, which may qualify under the new grant tiers depending on format and duration.
Next Steps
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✅ Review your training needs before the grant uplift ends in December 2025
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✅ Prepare to use the new CITB grant portal launching 24 September
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✅ Contact us to ensure NVQ, NPORS or IOSH training qualifies under current schemes
Contact us to see how we can assist you in accessing funding and staying compliant.
📞 0330 133 0402 | 📞 01473 561 402
📩 info@allstarsafety.co.uk
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