Roofing Industry Stunned by Sudden Slashing of CITB Training Funding

THE ROOFING INDUSTRY is reacting with shock and anger at the sudden slashing of training funding announced by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).

In a letter (copied below) emailed to selected employers on Tuesday (19th August), CITB announced without warning it is slashing its funding for construction training by 30%.

Skills & Training Fund

The organisation is scrapping the Skills & Training Fund, instead employers who wish to train their staff will have to apply to the Employers Network.

The Skills & Training Fund meets 100% of the cost of training, up to £10,000 and can be applied to twice a year.

Employers Networks, which are run by the CITB, will reimburse 70% of the cost of training and this is capped at £15,000 per company.

Achievement Award

Additionally, most training that results in a qualification currently attracts a £600 ‘achievement award’. With just over 7 days’ notice, the CITB is reducing this to £240 for achievements from September 2025.

CITB said, “’Award’ level qualifications typically have a shorter duration with fewer modules to complete, and the cost to undertake this level is usually lower, therefore this is reflected in the new grant payment.”

Training Groups

Roof Training Groups were not informed of the funding change, only learning of it when members started contacting them asking what they should do. It left the training officers feeling “once again disregarded and dismissed”.

The Roof Training Groups (RTGs) said that the sudden reduction of funding will have a huge impact on training in the roofing industry, affecting NVQs, short duration courses, such as SMSTS and site safety, as well as the speed at which funding can be accessed.

Whereas the RTGS can respond to requests for funding from employers within a day or two, CITB responds to funding requests via the Employer’s Network typically taking 2-4 weeks. Requests to CITB for training funding are routed to a call centre style phoneline which then refers the funding application to CITB staff.

One commentator said, “Inevitably this takes longer, and of course is less efficient. It begs the question of how many more people CITB have had to employ to run these so-called ‘Employer Networks’ and how much it costs?”

CITB said “We have been listening to industry and have heard that our current grants and funding system is complicated and can be difficult to navigate. As a result of this, we’re streamlining our approach to more effectively help levy-registered employers access financial support for training. To do this we have reviewed our existing offer and we are making changes.”

Angry and Concerned

Construction Training Groups across the country are reacting to CITB’s announcement this week with disbelief and fury. Leaders of groups and employers are discussing action, including a campaign to withhold levy payments to CITB, representations to government and CLC, and calls for the head of CITB, Tim Balcon’s resignation.

Keith Hopkinson, National Chair of Training Groups for Wales, said, “My phone and email have been in meltdown. There’s been a very strong reaction from employers and groups and I think a tsunami of complaint is probably coming CITB’s way. They are ignoring the hand that feeds them.

“The training groups are both angry and concerned. Angry that these announcements have been made without consultation and show a lack of understanding of industry in CITB.

“But the biggest concern is, in industry there is a shortage of skilled people. The danger is that construction companies will simply stop training. And where does that leave government ambitions to build 1.5 million homes? One part of government seems to be deliberately undermining the other, putting government plans in jeopardy.”

A roofing company employer who wishes to remain anonymous said, “This is one in a long line of ludicrous decisions from CITB that show a complete lack of understanding of the industry.

“It beggars belief that CITB can claim a significant reduction in funding is merely ‘streamlining’ support and that it will ‘help’ any employer. They seem to forget that this is our money. Are we to pay 30% less levy then if we’re getting 30% less back?”

CITB’s Sudden Announcement

The letter emailed to selected construction employers on 19th August, 2025.

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