CITB Launches its Business Plan to Tackle Construction Skills Gap

THE CONSTRUCTION Industry Training Board (CITB) outlines the steps it will take to support the construction industry to close the skills gap in its Business Plan for 2025-26, published today (16 April).

It aligns with CITB’s recently published Strategic Plan for 2025-29, which was developed following consultation with construction employers, training providers, national Governments, and other key stakeholders.

CITB Business Plan 2025-26

The Business Plan sets out three pillars to address the top priorities the construction industry wants CITB to focus on: getting more trained people into industry; making sure good quality, relevant training is available at the right time and place; and improving the skills of the current workforce.

The key pillars of this Business Plan are to:

1. Inspire and Enable Diverse and Skilled People into Construction

• CITB will maintain apprenticeship grants and extend the Into Work grant, providing up to £1,500 for employers, to support learners transitioning from education to sustained employment
• The Travel to Train grant will continue to assist with accommodation and travel costs for learners and employers
• The New Entrant Support Team (NEST) will continue to expand to help employers facilitate work placements and to recruit and retain new entrants, providing access to grants and suitable training
• CITB will fund over 40,000 industry placements annually for Level 2 and Level 3 learners to undertake NVQs, BTECs, T Levels and advanced apprenticeships.

2. Develop a Training and Skills System to Meet Current and Future Needs

• CITB will launch a new approved Training Provider Network, which will also support trainers and assessors with continuous professional development
• Grow the membership of Employer Networks, ensuring funding is directed at a local level
• Industry-designed Competence Frameworks and additional routes to competence will be developed to ensure the skills and training system meets the needs of both employers and learners
• CITB will work with the UK, Scottish, and Welsh Governments to evolve their skills and training systems, focusing on supporting further education colleges and construction training provision.

3. Support the Industry to Train, Develop, and Retain its Workforce

• CITB will develop grant incentives that support the introduction of additional routes to competence
• The Industry Impact Fund will continue to support projects addressing a wide range of issues facing the industry, including increasing diversity, productivity and net zero
• CITB will collaborate with key stakeholders to ensure all entry routes support the skills industry needs and align qualifications with Competence Frameworks.

Training Investment

To support these pillars, CITB is investing over £15 million in its National Construction College (NCC) to expand training provision across its three sites. This investment will increase the range and volume of apprenticeship and commercial training opportunities, with a focus on sustainability and improving the learner experience.

NCC England East and Scotland are currently welcoming roofing apprentices, with various start dates available this year.

Tim Balcon, CITB CEO

Tim Balcon, CEO of CITB, said: “The success of the British construction industry impacts everyone, and its vital construction employers are well supported with their training and skills needs.

“To thrive, the industry needs the right skills at the right time. Our Strategic Plan 2025-29, which we launched earlier this year, sets out how CITB will support employers to recruit, train, and retain the workforce they need, now and in the future. This Business Plan brings that strategy to life, outlining the practical steps we will take to support employers.

“I am looking forward to delivering this Business Plan, marking the first year of our Strategic Plan, and supporting more employers and workers in gaining the skills they need to drive Britain’s built environment forward.”

Read the full Business Plan 2025-26 here.

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