CITB paying apprenticeship grants in advance

1 July 2020: Please note that this initiative has now closed to new applications.

CITB is making available advanced payment of apprenticeship attendance grants for second and third year apprentices to help keep skills within the construction industry amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The payments will be available from 6 April for apprentices already subject to CITB grant support and who are currently in the second or third year of their apprenticeship for the remainder of the year. 

Employers will need to complete a very brief online form, which is being developed, via the CITB website. The advance payment is subject to the standard terms and conditions and the reclaiming of grant paid if the apprentice leaves employment or completes their apprenticeship early.

The payments are available to support 7,500 apprentices, and will advance to employers up to £2,500 in attendance grant at a time when retaining apprentices is critical.

Braden Connolly, CITB Director of Products and Services, said: “Apprenticeships are essential to safeguard the future of the construction industry amid the skills shortage. 

“The coronavirus outbreak is putting employers, in particular smaller firms, under extreme pressure and CITB will do all it can to support them through this crisis. We expect this advanced payment will enable some of the smallest apprentice employers to continue with their apprentice and avoid the need to furlough.” 

This measure is complementary to the support the Chancellor announced for furloughed workers on Friday, and will give construction employers support to continue with their apprentice rather than laying off. 

CITB is also working with ESFA and other agencies to discuss the existing funding rules around breaks in learning for apprentices. 

CITB urges all employers not to dismiss any apprentices without first contacting your Customer Engagement Advisor: customerengagement@citb.co.uk