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 maintaining the same training 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.

Who can apply:

• 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.

Key dates: The fund is now closed for applications.

Launch webinar: A launch webinar was held on the 3 June outlining the fund and how potential providers can apply. Below are the presentation slides along with the recording.

• Accelerated Apprenticeships Programme Webinar Launch Presentation (PowerPoint, 2.19MB)

• Accelerated Apprenticeships Programme Webinar Recording

• Accelerated Apprenticeships Programme Webinar FAQs (PDF, 61KB)

Fund documents: 

• Guidance Notes (PDF, 179KB)

• Terms of Bidding (PDF, 194KB)

• Application form (Word, 176KB)

• Terms of Funding (PDF 396KB)

  • Quarterly Reporting Pack  (Excel, 36KB)

• Employer Privacy Policy (Word, 33KB)

• Learner Privacy Policy (Word, 36KB)

From 25th September 2026, CITB will be inviting bids to deliver a continuation of an existing Shared Apprenticeship Scheme covering South West and South East Wales. CITB wish to appoint a single provider to continue delivery of the Scheme from the planned point of project commencement on 1st December 2026 through to 31st March 2029.

Any Apprentices who started their programmes before the point of project commencement, must continue to be supported through to completion of their qualifications, via the funding that will be awarded to the successful provider.

The contract with the current provider is due for renewal and requires an open process to appoint a provider to continue the initiative.

This funding opportunity will enable:

• Continuation of support for existing Apprentices from December 2026 to March 2029

• Seamless continuity of placements and support - minimal disruption to Apprentices and employers

• Delivery of all services in Welsh language as required or requested by Apprentices, employers or stakeholders

• Continuation of comprehensive pastoral care offer - wellbeing and mental health support

• Recruitment of new shared Apprentices to the scheme in 2027 and 2028

• Continuation of strong existing relationships with all local, regional and national stakeholders.

Funding available: up to £1,430,000 awarded under an initial contract.

Who can apply: any organisation with relevant experience, proven capability and a demonstrable track record of delivering this type of large-scale programme across a large geography, working closely with a wide range of stakeholders.

Key dates

Wednesday 16th September 2026, 11am-12pm - Launch webinar.

Friday 25th September 2026 - Tender opportunity opens.

Tuesday 20th October 2026 – Tender opportunity closes.

Friday 20th November 2026 – Contract award date (planned).

Tuesday 1st December 2026 – Commencement of delivery.

Launch webinar: please use this Microsoft Teams link to join the launch webinar on Wednesday 16th September 2026.

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 closed for applications. We aim to have funding agreements live by July 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)