Industry Impact Fund

Transform construction with the Industry Impact Fund

What is the Industry Impact Fund?

The Industry Impact Fund (IIF) is designed for construction employers who want to tackle the biggest challenges facing the workforce across the UK. If you have a new and innovative idea to improve skills and training in the industry, this fund can help make it a reality.

What makes this fund different?

Launched in April 2023, this is CITB’s first fund of its kind. It gives employers the power to design and develop training solutions that don’t already exist - ensuring they are scalable, sustainable and make a lasting impact. Plus, if your idea is successful, CITB can support it with up to £500,000 per proposal, to turn your idea into reality.

Why apply for the Industry Impact Fund?

Creating Industry-Wide Change

The Industry Impact Fund supports projects that shape the future of construction - boosting skills, innovation and collaboration.

The process is fully supported by our experts at every stage - whether you're tackling skills shortages, introducing new technology, or creating opportunities, we are here to help.

Impact in Action

  • £4.5 million awarded to projects to date

  • Over 14,000 people directly and positively impacted by the fund so far

  • Open to Levy-registered employers across the UK.

What can this fund support?

Solutions proposed by industry, for industry

The Industry Impact Fund supports forward-thinking projects that address key workforce challenges in construction. Eligible proposals must focus on the topics below;

  • Skills and training programmes to upskill the workforce

  • Innovative technology adoption to enhance efficiency

  • Collaborative industry projects that drive shared progress

  • Sustainable solutions to workforce challenges.

Remember, activity must focus on a skills and training solution that doesn’t already exist. The idea must be new, not previously supported by CITB and it must be scalable and sustainable.

The fund is open to big picture ideas that enable shared knowledge and resources across the industry and are sustainable past the period of funding.

To apply for the fund, businesses need to propose and develop solutions on how to enhance one of the following topics in the construction industry. If successful CITB can provide up to £500,000 of funding per proposal to make the innovative idea a reality.

See full funding criteria (PDF, 2.9MB)

If your project supports any of these areas, you could be eligible for funding. Further guidance on the topics is available in Annex A of the guidance notes.

If you are working with third-party training providers or delivery partners, you are responsible for ensuring a formal agreement is in place. This agreement must confirm that all parties involved understand and adhere to the terms and conditions of the funding.

Empowering industry to achieve more with the same or fewer people by accelerating productivity improvements, maintaining quality and standards, and helping to alleviate skills shortages.

To empower a diverse and inclusive construction workforce by developing training to support a more accessible, relevant, and equitable environment— ensuring that all individuals can thrive and progress within the industry.

To ensure the industry meets its net zero obligations, with more people trained in net zero skills and businesses aware of requirements and opportunities for growth.

To support businesses and training organisations to work together to develop new approaches to trainer and assessor training and development. This will not only increase the numbers of trainers and assessors working in construction training, but it will also enhance the quality of training that is delivered.

To support construction businesses to build the digital skills they need. This includes things like using technology safely, solving problems, working with data, and using smart tools in construction to help them work more effectively and efficiently.

To improve and increase the number of workers who stay in the construction industry long term, increasing the number of skilled and competent workers while also reducing the need for constant recruitment.

How to apply

Application process

Still have questions about the fund? Email ExternalFundingManagers@citb.co.uk

Success stories

"This project not only tackles the skills gap in net zero, but the understanding of the importance of acting on that skills gap. Those across education need to be able to deliver training in net zero, however those out in industry need to see the value in embracing net zero and upskilling in order for that training to actually take place and change to happen. This project will bring together different organisations across industry to contribute to resources and training, and ensure that a varied group of organisations across the UK can benefit. The Industry Impact Fund has given us the opportunity to bring our collaborative ideas to life."

- Catherine Hawkett, Berkeley Homes Plc 

"Change Your Script is our campaign to challenge traditional thinking and open the mindset of how the Construction Industry is thought to be. With Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity at its core, lifetime Skills development of the younger generation is achieved through Training and Mentorship.

Furthermore, through collaborative relationships with shareholders, we can overcome the challenges faced by the industry and young people Not in Education, Employment and Training, thus embracing the art of the possible."

- OHOB Training Department

"The Low Carbon Passport Programme brings together a unique collaboration that includes BE-ST, and a number of main contractor and education partners, all focused on the development and delivery of a programme of accredited low carbon skills training for the construction industry. The programme directly addresses the need to equip Scotland with the skills necessary to decarbonise and achieve our Net Zero targets and has been made possible by the CITB Industry Impact Fund."

- Ian Hogg, Balfour Beatty Construction Ltd

Useful resources and next steps

Your questions answered below. However, please note that our team of experts are here at every stage of the journey to ensure your application process is as straightforward as possible, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to them if you have any questions at all.

This fund is open to any CITB levy registered employer (who is up to date with Levy returns and payments).

The fund can support projects that meet all of the fund criteria.

Application guidance notes (PDF, 2.9MB)

The assessment process takes on average 4 to 9 months, however may vary.

Applications will be assessed against our criteria.

The level of governance is determined by the amount of funding requested.

Full details can be found in the Application guidance notes (PDF, 2.9MB)

Payments will be made in four instalments once activity has commenced. Your funding agreement will detail amounts and dates of payments.

All funded assets will be hosted on the CITB websites, along with any other agreed platforms specified within the project. Documents must be supplied to CITB in an accessible, unlocked format with CITB branding to ensure they can be readily used by other employers and organisations. You will also be required to provide a training schedule outlining how the training should be delivered.

Fund documents

Additional documents 

CITB’s Engagement Team delivered a series of short webinars providing an overview of CITB’s Industry Impact Fund. Each webinar focuses on a different fund theme and includes general information about the application process and an explanation of the fund criteria.

Please be aware that the application process may have changed since these webinars were recorded. For the most up to date information, refer to our guidance notes (PDF, 2.9MB)