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About CITB Apprenticeships

An apprenticeship combines learning at a college/training provider with on-site experience to give apprentices the right mix of technical and practical skills.

What happens after I've applied for an apprentice?

Once we receive your vacancy, we'll provide you with any suitable applicants we have available to interview and then you can choose the apprentice right for your business. Or if you have already found a potential apprentice, then you can help them apply online so that we have their details.

When you’ve decided who you’d like to take on, an Apprenticeship Officer will contact you, to help complete any paperwork and make sure Health & Safety Checks are in place to meet the requirement of taking on an apprentice.  We will do all we can to keep the paperwork to a minimum. This may be done online or face-to-face where appropriate.

We'll help with arranging training for them at college and they can start working with you. 

If you are eligible for grants, your Apprenticeship Officer will provide you with information on how grant funding of up to £14,500 for training should be applied for and how and when it will be paid.

CITB is one of the largest providers of apprentices for the construction industry, with over 45 years experience of developing skilled workers.

If you decide to employ a CITB supported apprentice, you will be getting a keen, motivated member of staff that wants to learn and help your business to grow. 

  • CITB supported apprentices benefit from the services of apprenticeship officers throughout their training.
  • Levy-registered employers can apply for grants for each apprentice's attendance and achievement throughout their course.

All CITB's apprenticeship training is developed in consultation with the industry, meaning an apprentice will learn the right skills for the job.

Our CITB Apprenticeship Career days can be delivered either face-to-face or online, as appropriate. Prospective applicants can ask any questions about their chosen trade and will get the information and advice they need about a range of careers in construction. This helps to ensure applicants make fully informed choices about their careers.

At each event

  • Our Apprenticeship Officers conduct an initial interview to find out about the applicant.
  • Applicants complete an assessment of their literacy and numeracy skills.
  • Apprenticeship Officers will review what skills and knowledge the applicants bring to their chosen role, as a requirement of funding and to avoid unnecessary training.

We pay grants to registered employers of up to £10,250 per apprentice.

The Apprenticeship Grant for employers is available in addition to any grants from us to help pay your apprentice’s wages.

You can apply for grants for individuals on approved apprenticeships at Levels 2 and 3, and higher apprenticeships in England, Wales and Scotland.

Find out more about the Apprenticeships grants.

If you are not a Levy-registered employer, you can still employ a CITB apprentice.

  • Your apprentice will still have the support of a CITB Apprenticeship Officer
  • You will still have access to the information gathered at Careers days about your apprentice.
  • You will not be eligible to apply for grants to fund your apprentice.

There are different terms and conditions for employers who are not Levy-registered. You must read these in conjunction with the Commitment Statement, all terms and conditions apply under the Apprenticeship Commitment Statement.

Terms and conditions relating to apprenticeship training, non Levy funded

Apprenticeships in England are changing

If you are an employer in England who is still using apprenticeship frameworks, now is the time to plan your move to standards and set up an Apprenticeship Service account with the Government Apprenticeship Service.

  • On 31 July 2020 Apprenticeship Frameworks end.
  • From 1 August 2020 all new apprenticeships will be to an Apprenticeship Standard.
  • From 1 April 2021 all apprenticeships will have to be arranged through the Apprenticeship Service

Please note: These changes are for England only they do not apply to Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales.

Background to the changes

Since January 2020, as part of testing new arrangements during a transition period, the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), has been inviting all employers, regardless of size, to use the Government’s Apprenticeship Service (formerly DAS).

The Government has also been encouraging all employers, regardless of size, to set up an online account, so they can experience the benefits of the Apprenticeship Service. For non-levy paying employers, use of the service during the transition period has been optional.

The transition period was due to end on 31 October 2020. However, due to COVID-19 this has been extended to 31 March 2021.

CITB's role

CITB is supporting the Government with the transition to the Apprenticeship Service. We will:

  • Raise awareness so that all construction employers and partners are aware of the changes
  • Advise and support all CITB registered construction employers, colleges and training providers so they are aware of the changes and can respond
  • Actively support CITB registered construction employers who currently employ apprentices and those who are likely to employ apprentices.

Support for employers

CITB provides information and advice to help you understand and use the Apprenticeship Service. You can:

Opening the online account

When you open an online account, everything you need to set up, start and manage a new apprentice can be found in one place. 

Contract of employment

The apprentice must hold a contract of employment that is long enough for the apprentice to complete the apprenticeship, including the end-point assessment. The apprentice must be included in the PAYE scheme declared in the apprenticeship service account.

The ACAS website has more information and templates regarding a contract of employment, this is only for guidance.

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