Carillion: CITB statement and support for apprentices

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is sad to see Carillion cease trading because it will have a huge impact on the company’s thousands of employees and their families.

It is with these workers and the wider industry in mind that CITB is taking steps to secure the future of the 1400 Carillion apprentices. The skills and experience of these apprentices are invaluable to the British economy and crucial to the delivery of new homes and vital infrastructure.

In partnership with the Government and employers in the construction industry, CITB is establishing a project team that will prioritise the retention and redeployment of these apprentices. CITB is currently devising an in principle package of support, including grants and apprenticeship transfer incentives, to encourage construction employers to enable these apprentices to join their existing workforce.

Working with the Department for Education, the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and its network of colleges, CITB is hopeful that it will be able to provide these learners with the opportunity to continue their education.

The direct impact will be CITB’s immediate priority but it will also quickly turn its attention to the wider effects on Carillion’s extensive supply chain.  

Sarah Beale, Chief Executive at the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), said:

“The news of Carillion entering insolvency is clearly a significant blow to the UK construction sector. While this will present the sector with a number of challenges, CITB’s priority is to do all it can to ensure that Carillion apprentices can continue their training so their skills are not lost.

“We have established a project team to work with the apprentices and will be offering in principle grant and apprenticeship transfer incentives to our employer base in order to retain these learners.

“We will be working closely with the ESFA, the Official Receiver and our network of college providers so that every possible support is in place to help these apprentices continue their training.

“We will be liaising with the Official Receiver with a view to contacting the apprentices as soon as possible.”

For more information on the insolvency process, how you may be affected and what support may be on offer please visit the GOV.UK website.

CITB support for Carillion apprentices

If you are a Carillion apprentice and have been affected by this news, please contact CITB via telephone or email for the latest information and guidance.

• 0344 994 4010
• carillion.apprenticeshipsupport@citb.co.uk

If you are an employer who would like to discuss supporting a Carillion apprentice, please also use these contact details.

Support for workers affected by Carillion's closure

CITB is working with the Department for Works and Pensions (DWP) to also support workers in full-time employment. If you are a worker who has just lost your job with Carillion, or you're at risk of redundancy because of the closure, see the following pages for information on available support:

• government support and benefits