CITB Funding Changes 2026: What Employers Need to Know About Employer Networks & the Training Provider Network

If there’s one thing I’ve learned running a training business for over a decade, it’s this: change in construction training funding is constant; but it rarely comes with a clear handbook.

Over the past few months, we’ve had a surge of questions about the CITB Training Provider Network (TPN), Approved Training Organisations (ATOs), and what all of this means for CITB funding in 2026.

So, let’s clear it up.

What is changing with CITB funding in 2026?

The biggest shift is that CITB has moved away from the traditional short course grant model and is now focusing on Employer Networks (ENs).

This change affects how training is funded, how providers are approved, and how employers access financial support.

In short:

• The old “book a course and claim a fixed grant” model is no longer how most funding works
• Funding is now routed through regional Employer Networks
• Budgets are capped and allocated locally

What is the CITB Training Provider Network (TPN)?

The Training Provider Network (TPN) is CITB’s new national framework for training providers.

Instead of applying directly to become an Approved Training Organisation (ATO), providers now join the TPN, which ensures they meet CITB’s quality and compliance standards.

This means TPN membership is now the gateway to delivering CITB-recognised training.

Do Approved Training Organisations (ATOs) still exist?

Yes — but the system has changed.

ATOs are still the mechanism used to validate training delivery and upload achievements to the Construction Training Register (CTR).

However, providers now sit within the broader TPN structure, rather than applying in isolation as they did previously.

What happened to CITB short course grants?

One of the biggest changes in 2026 is the end of the traditional fixed-rate short course grant system.

Previously, employers could expect set payments (for example £60–£240 depending on the course).

That model has now been replaced with Employer Network funding, where:

• Funding is allocated regionally
• Employers apply through their local Employer Network
• Support is often match-funded rather than fixed-rate

CITB Employer Networks funding limits (2026/27)

CITB has introduced stricter controls on funding due to rising demand across the industry.

Key changes include:

• A fixed national funding pot of £11.5 million: For 2026/27, the total budget for Employer Networks is fixed at £11.5 million.
• Annual caps based on company size: To stop a few big players from hoovering up all the cash, CITB has introduced strict annual funding caps based on company size (ranging from £1,500 for micros to £4,500 for medium firms). Large Employer Fund based on company size of 250 employees and above you can access up to £18,000 to spend on any in-scope training of your choice
• Regional allocation limits
• First-come, first-served funding availability: These regional budgets are finite. CITB confirmed that the 2025/26 budgets were fully committed before the year even ended. It’s a "first-come, first-served" approach, so if you wait to book your training, you might find the pot is empty.

In many regions, budgets are being fully allocated earlier in the year than expected, meaning timing now plays a critical role in securing support.

Why choosing the right training provider matters

With funding now tied more closely to compliance and network approval, your choice of provider matters more than ever.

Working with a TPN-registered provider means:

1. Access to funding pathways

Only approved providers can support the training records needed for Employer Network funding applications.

2. Compliance and audit assurance

TPN providers are regularly audited to ensure training meets CITB standards.

3. Future-proofing your training spend

As CITB continues to tighten funding eligibility, network membership is becoming essential.

4. Confirm your chosen training provider

You need to advise the Employer Network that you want training with Pragmatic Consulting

What should employers do now?

The key takeaway is simple: don’t wait until you need a course urgently.

Instead:

• Review your training needs early
• Speak to your local Employer Network adviser to secure your funding
• Secure funding before booking delivery
• Plan your training over a 12-month cycle where possible

Funding is limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis — so timing now directly affects access.

Final thoughts

These changes aren’t designed to make things harder; they’re designed to prioritise training investment where it has the most impact.

But they do require a shift in how employers plan and access funding.

At Pragmatic Consulting, we’ve always believed training should be more than a compliance exercise. It should protect your people, your projects, and your business. Find out more about the wide range of training courses we offer.

If you haven’t already, contact your regional Employer Network to secure funding before allocations are fully committed, or register your interest early and map out your company’s training needs over the next 12 months.

If you have more questions, it’s worth speaking with your Employer Network contact or reviewing your training plan for the year ahead.

Read more about the changes in our recent blog: CITB Funding Update for 2026: What Employers Need to Know About Employer Networks and the New Large Employer Fund

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