The Accelerated Apprenticeships programme is a new CITB-funded initiative supporting the delivery of accelerated, block-release apprenticeships in high-demand construction trades. These programmes are designed to reduce delivery times to 14–18 months, compared to traditional 2–3-year apprenticeships, while still achieving the same apprenticeship standards.

The Accelerated Apprenticeships programme is focused on increasing apprenticeship starts, completion rates and employer engagement as part of CITB’s wider homebuilding support package.

The programme will:

• Initially launch in Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, West Midlands, Kent, and Bedfordshire / Hertfordshire. Over the next three years further phases will be launched to cover 20 priority regions nationally

• Increase the number of providers offering accelerated, block-release apprenticeships for in-demand occupations within the homebuilding sector

• Enable successful training providers over the 20 regions to deliver 1,680 accelerated apprenticeship starts

• Support providers to play a key role in addressing critical workforce shortages across construction.

Funding available: Up to £33,625 per application.

Key dates: We are hosting a launch webinar on Wednesday 3 June 2026 at 11am. Register here to find out how your organisation can get involved.

Why attend:

• Learn how your organisation can access up to £33,625 in funding to establish delivery

• Hear how CITB and its New Entrant Support Team (NEST) will support implementation and employer engagement

• Understand the funding criteria and application process

• Learn more about the requirements for housebuilder and local authority endorsement.

Who should attend:

• Any apprenticeship training provider who:

  • Is currently on the APAR register as either a main provider or employer provider

  • Has an Ofsted rating of ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ (or equivalent)

  • Has an ability to deliver construction apprenticeships at Level 2 and above.

• Employers in any of the targeted regions who may be interested in working with a training provider to support this programme.

The Specialist Upskilling Fund is a new CITB commissioning opportunity designed to remove barriers to training in specialist construction trades. It will fund up to 10 specialist upskilling projects that help employers access high-quality, cost-effective competence training, with the aim of supporting delivery of up to an additional 600 sector-specific NVQ achievements.

The fund will:

• Support employers to identify workforce competence needs through training needs conversations/analysis

• Provide specialist advice and guidance and work with employers, training providers and sector stakeholders to tackle common barriers

• Guide employers to suitable, quality-assured training and support uptake of sector-specific NVQs

• Generate sector insights and learning to inform future CITB funding decisions

Funding available: up to £35,000 per specialist sector application, for delivery over 12 months.

Who can apply: any organisation with relevant specialist sector experience (CITB registration is not required). Consortium bids are permitted; the lead organisation will be the accountable contracting party.

Key dates: The fund is now open for applications and closes on 2 June 2026.

Launch webinar: A launch webinar was held on the 27 April outlining the fund and how potential providers can apply. Below are the slides from webinar along with the recording.

• Specialist Upskilling Fund Launch (PowerPoint, 1.03MB)

• Specialist Upskilling Fund Webinar Recording 

• Specialist Upskilling Fund Webinar FAQs (PDF, 65KB)

Fund documents

1. Guidance Notes (PDF, 231KB) 

2. Terms of Bidding (PDF, 195KB)

3. Application form (Word, 266KB)

4. Terms of Funding (PDF, 453KB)

   • Quarterly Project Progress Report (Word, 155KB)

   • Quarterly Reporting Pack (Excel, 155KB)

How to apply: complete the application form and follow the guidance provided in the fund documentation. If you have questions during the application window, email commissioning@citb.co.uk with “Specialist Upskilling Fund” in the subject line.