The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has released its 2025-26 financial year grants figures, highlighting a strong year for apprenticeships and training
CITB has provided a total of £120m in grants, including £68m for construction apprenticeship grants, helping the industry develop a skilled, competent, and inclusive workforce.
In the FY 2025-26, 30,837 apprentices were supported. The apprenticeship grants provided have also supported 10,410 construction employers in the past year, of which 9,258 are small and micro businesses.
Deb Madden, CITB’s executive director, customer engagement and operations, said:
“We’re committed to ensuring the construction industry remains at the forefront of skills development, and we’re so pleased to have been able to support so many employers to take on new people and help train their employees.”
Travel to Train: Helping cover commuting costs
CITB’s Travel to Train grant, for construction employers in England, Scotland, and Wales, supports apprentices who need to travel for block-release training.
The money received covers travel and accommodation costs. This year, it has supported 3,794 learners and 1,217 employers who have received a total of £8.2m in Travel to Train grant support.
Funding for small business training
In addition, CITB offers qualification grants that help registered construction employers cover the cost of training their workforce beyond apprentices.
CITB data from April 2025 to March 2026 reveals that 22,690 learners, as well as 3,088 employers, received £21.7m of qualification grant support. Out of the 3,088 employers supported in the past FY, 2,185 were small and micro businesses.
Construction apprenticeship grants are vital for the workforce of the future
CITB’s Construction Workforce Outlook (CWO) finds that construction output is expected to grow by an average of 2.1% per year from now until 2029.
The CWO also finds that an average of 47,000 additional construction workers are required each year to meet demand, and that CITB’s grants remain vital to building a sustainable and resilient construction workforce.
Madden concluded: “Supporting employers to recruit and retain apprentices is critical to building the skilled workforce the industry needs. Without sustained recruitment and training, labour shortages risk project delays and increased costs, and we’re pleased to be playing a part in providing the support employers and learners need to help build the workforce of tomorrow, today.”
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