At a glance

Construction employers with active CITB Skills & Training Fund agreements are being reminded to review their training plans as the October 2026 deadline for completing funded activities approaches. Any unused funds from these agreements must be returned, and businesses are advised to ensure all planned training is completed and documented before the deadline. This reminder comes as CITB shifts its support model, with Employer Networks now the primary route for training support for smaller construction businesses.

Construction employers with live CITB Skills & Training Fund agreements are being urged to check their remaining training plans as an October 2026 deadline approaches.

The Skills & Training Fund for micro, small and medium-sized businesses closed to new applications on 30 September 2025, but employers with existing agreements have continued to complete training under previously approved projects.

CITB says all funded training activity under these live agreements must have taken place by October 2026, and projects cannot be extended beyond that point.

For businesses that received funding upfront, any approved funding that has not been fully used will need to be returned to CITB.

Construction training provider Essential Site Skills says businesses with older funding agreements should check now rather than assume they still have plenty of time.

Catherine Storer, Director at Essential Site Skills, said:

“October can sound a long way off when you’re looking at a training plan earlier in the year, but suddenly we’re here.

“For employers with live Skills & Training Fund agreements, this is the point where I would be checking exactly what training is still outstanding, who still needs to attend and whether those courses can realistically be completed within the remaining time.

“The last thing any business wants is to realise too late that training they planned to complete has been left until the final few weeks.”

Funding rules have changed

The deadline comes during a period of significant change to CITB training support.

From April 2026, micro, small and medium-sized construction employers moved primarily to Employer Networks for training support, with businesses employing between one and 249 people able to access 50% match funding or fixed contributions for certain health and safety courses.

CITB has confirmed that the Skills & Training Fund will not be reintroduced, with Employer Networks now the primary route for support for smaller construction businesses.

Catherine said:

“There have been quite a few changes to CITB funding in a relatively short period, so it would be understandable if some employers weren’t completely clear about which scheme their training sits under.

“The important thing is not to assume an older Skills & Training Fund agreement simply rolls over into the newer funding arrangements.

“If you still have training attached to one of those agreements, check it now.”

Don’t leave evidence until the end

Completing the training itself is only part of the process.

CITB advises employers to retain relevant documentation, including invoices and booking correspondence, as evidence that funding has been used appropriately.

As agreements approach their expected completion or review date, employers may be asked to submit evidence to CITB within 28 days of receiving a reminder.

Catherine added:

“Businesses should be checking the paperwork at the same time as the training.

“Make sure you know what has been completed, what is still booked and that you’ve retained the evidence you may need later.

“It’s much easier to sort that now than try to reconstruct everything after the deadline.”

What employers should check now

Essential Site Skills recommends that businesses with live Skills & Training Fund agreements review:

• which courses or qualifications were included in the original agreement;
• which employees have already completed their planned training;
• what training remains outstanding;
• whether remaining courses can be completed before the October 2026 deadline;
• invoices, booking confirmations and other supporting evidence;
• whether any changes to the original training plan need to be discussed with CITB; and
• whether any upfront funding is likely to remain unused.

Employers experiencing difficulties completing planned activity are advised by CITB to contact the organisation as soon as possible to discuss the available options, although no project can be extended beyond October 2026.

Catherine said:

“Funding can make a significant difference to the cost of developing a workforce, but only if businesses actually use what they’ve been awarded.

“If you’ve got an older CITB funding agreement sitting in the background, now is the time to bring it back to the top of the list.”

Editorial insight

The approaching deadline for the completion of CITB Skills and Training Fund projects is a practical reminder for construction employers to review their outstanding training commitments. With funding rules having shifted and the fund now closed to new applications, the focus for businesses is on making full use of previously approved support before the October 2026 cut-off. The transition to Employer Networks as the primary route for future training support marks a significant change in how smaller firms access funding, meaning legacy agreements require careful attention to avoid missed opportunities or the need to return unused funds.

For employers, the immediate priority is to clarify which training activities remain outstanding under older agreements and ensure all necessary evidence is in place to demonstrate compliance. In a sector where regulatory requirements and safety standards are closely tied to workforce training, timely completion and documentation are not only a funding issue but also a matter of operational readiness. Businesses with live agreements are advised to act now to avoid a last-minute rush and ensure they retain the benefits of the funding already secured.

Story ideas and journalist angles

Industry trend

Challenges for Construction Firms Meeting CITB Training Deadlines

As the deadline for using CITB Skills & Training Fund approaches, many construction firms face challenges completing planned training. This situation highlights the broader issues of training logistics and compliance within the industry.

Target audience who would cover this Story potential 7/10 Economic impact

Impact of CITB Funding Withdrawal on Small Construction Firms

With the CITB Skills & Training Fund set to expire in October 2026, there are concerns about how small construction firms will adapt to the new Employer Networks funding model. This shift could significantly affect their ability to access necessary training and maintain competitive skills.

Target audience who would cover this Story potential 8/10