What are Employer Networks?
Employer Networks (ENs), setup and funded by CITB, are a collaboration between CITB and local employers. They have two main objectives:
Make it easier for you to access the training and funding you need, and
Bring together employers and other stakeholders at a local level to effectively use training provision to address immediate and future skills needs in their region.
This highly successful initiative, launched in 2022, has seen more employers supported than ever before, and by working with area steering groups the aim is to deliver the right training, to the right people, at the right time - to meet local needs.
Collectively employers are shaping the way funds provided by CITB are spent, and on what.
Support and funding
From April 2026, micro to medium employers – those that employ between 1 to 249 employees - will be able to book training at 50% match funding or at a fixed contribution for health and safety courses (PDF, 133KB). Large employers will now have their own separate fund.
What does the fund cover?
Employer size | Employer Networks cap 2026-27 | Average Employer Networks claim by employer size in 2025-26 |
|---|
Micro (1 – 9 employees) | £1,500 | £1,282 |
Small (10 – 49 employees) | £2,000 | £2,180 |
Medium (50 – 249 employees) | £4,500 | £5,195 |
Employer caps are defined at the start of each financial year and reviewed annually.
Recent funding changes mean that most construction specific short duration courses, including Health & Safety, can now be funded through Employer Networks and we encourage new and innovative training such as net zero, green skills and leadership & management.
The exceptions are:
Scaffolding - which remains partially funded through the CITB grants route
Plant Training - which remains partially funded through the CITB grants route
A small number of specialist short courses. See full list of course exceptions
First Aid Training – which is no longer funded.
How does funding work?
We’ve made the process as simple as possible. Once your training has been booked your training provider will invoice you with the proportion of the total cost you need to pay and when by, and CITB will pay the difference.
Our aim is to support as many eligible employers as possible with their training needs, however Employer Networks funding is budget-led, not demand-led and funding values are subject to change. Should area demand be projected to exceed available funding then non mandatory training will be prioritised.
The budget is reviewed regularly by CITB and the local employer steering groups.
Their purpose is to engage with other local employers and advise how funding should be prioritised and allocated, and to effectively use training provision to address immediate and future skills needs in their region. To find out more or to get involved in the employer steering group, speak to your CITB Adviser.
Working together to address the skills gap
Employer Networks offer much more than just funded training. The networks provide an opportunity for employers to come together at a local level to inform CITB on training needs, advise on funding priorities, and work collectively to address immediate and future skills gaps in their region. This insight is shared with training providers to inform decisions on future courses and training they might wish to offer, providing a joined-up approach that delivers the skills outcomes needed.
86% of employers stated that the process of accessing training was simpler through Employer Networks.
Register your interest
We are running Networks across Great Britain - if you'd like your Engagement Adviser to get in touch, fill in our online form.
Local network areas
If you are based in one of the areas below and are CITB-registered, you can benefit from being part of an Employer Network.
Large Employers
The new Large Employer Fund launched 1 April 2026.
What else is available to you?
Employer Networks are just one part of CITB’s wider offer. Employers can also access financial support through:
