Specialist Applied-skills Programmes (SAP)
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Overview
In 2024 CITB reopened the Enabling Specialist Provision (ESP) Tender, asking providers to develop and deliver a structured new-entrant programme of specialist applied-skills not currently offered or in development.
The specialist applied-skills programmes (SAP) are 18-month training programmes for new entrants. Available across the UK, the programmes lead to a vocational qualification (NVQ/SVQ) and are considered by trade associations and employers as 'sector apprenticeships'. All SAP training providers have been awarded delivery contracts by CITB to cover new-entrant registrations until at least 31 March 2027.
Elements of the SAP programmes are eligible for short course grants. More information on which training standards make up a SAP can be provided by the contracted providers.
New-entrants must have a full-time contract of direct employment (PAYE) with a CITB-registered employer. There is no upper age limit, but employers tend to prefer to take on new entrants who are 18 years old and above. Where a trainee is under 18, a young person risk assessment will be required.
SAP employers and trainees are also eligible to access funding for travel through CITB Travel to Train when registered on a SAP programme.
Read Guidance for registering onto a SAP for further details on getting specialist applied-skills training.
Current programmes available
Specialist training providers have been contracted for the following specialist occupations:
Asbestos removal operative
Outcome: Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Removal of Hazardous Waste - Licensed Asbestos (Construction)
Geographical Coverage: England, Scotland and Wales
National Demolition Training Group Scotland - Glasgow
Website: https://www.facebook.com/ndtg.scotland
Phone: 0141 556 7599
Demolition site operative for Scotland and Wales (SAP is no longer available in England)
Outcome: Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Demolition (Construction) - Demolition and Refurbishment
Geographical Coverage: Scotland and Wales
National Demolition Training Group Scotland - Glasgow
Website: https://www.facebook.com/ndtg.scotland
Phone: 0141 556 7599
Diamond drilling and sawing operative
Outcome: Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Specialist Concrete Operations (Construction) - Concrete Drilling and Sawing
Geographical Coverage: England, Scotland and Wales
The Drilling & Sawing Association - Nottingham
Website: https://www.drillandsaw.org.uk/
Phone: 0115 986 7029
Facade preservation operative
Outcome: Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Associated Industrial Services Occupations (Construction) - Facade Preservation
Geographical Coverage: England, Scotland and Wales
Priestman's Associates LLP - Nottingham
Website: https://www.priestmanweb.com/
Phone: 0115 975 1880
Heritage hard metal roofing specialist
Heritage hard and soft metals roofing operative
Heritage lead roofing specialist
Outcome: Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Heritage Skills (Construction) - Fully Supported Lead and Hard Metal Roofing and Cladding
Geographical Coverage: England, Scotland and Wales
Lead Sheet Training Academy - Kent
Website: https://leadsheet.co.uk/service/the-lsta-specialist-applied-skills-courses/
Phone: 01622 872432 or 07961 659802
National Construction Training Services - Hoddesdon
Website: https://www.ncts.org.uk/
Phone: 01992 801914
Heritage roof slating and tiling
Outcome: Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Heritage Skills (Construction) - Roof Slating and Tiling Occupations
Geographical Coverage: England, Scotland and Wales
CoRE Hereford - Herford
Website: https://corehereford.co.uk
Phone: 01432 345098
Heritage solid plastering
Outcome: Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Heritage Skills (Construction) - Plastering Occupations - Solid Plastering
Geographical Coverage: England, Scotland and Wales
Canolfan Tywi - Carmarthenshire
Website: https://www.tywicentre.org.uk/
Phone: 01558 824271
Heritage mason
Outcome: Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Heritage Skills (Construction) - Mason
Geographical Coverage: England, Scotland and Wales
Canolfan Tywi - Carmarthenshire
Website: https://www.tywicentre.org.uk/
Phone: 01558 824271
Heritage wood occupations
Outcome: Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Heritage Skills (Construction) - Wood Occupations
Geographical Coverage: Scotland and Wales
Canolfan Tywi - Carmarthenshire
Website: https://www.tywicentre.org.uk/
Phone: 01558 824271
Geographical Coverage: England and Scotland
Oak Frame Training Forum - Bristol
Website: https://theoftf.wordpress.com/specialist-applied-skills-programme-course-content/
Phone: 01275 462242
In situ resin flooring operative
Outcome: Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Specialist Concrete Occupations (Construction) - In Situ Flooring - Resin
Geographical Coverage: England, Scotland and Wales
FeRFA – The Resin Flooring Association - Midlands
Website: https://www.ferfa.org.uk/specialist-applied-skills-programme-sap-schemes/
Phone: 07484 075254
In situ treatment of timber and damp operative
Outcome: Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Insulation and Building Treatments (Construction) - Wood Preserving and Damp-proofing
Structural waterproofing (below ground)
Outcome: Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Sub-structure Work Occupations (Construction) - Structural Waterproofing
Geographical Coverage: England, Scotland and Wales
Property Care Association - Huntingdon
Website: https://www.property-care.org/training-qualifications/apprenticeships-nvq
Phone: 01480 400000
Joint sealant operative
Outcome: Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Specialist Installation Occupations (Construction) - Joint Sealant Application
Geographical Coverage: England, Scotland and Wales
All Mastic Ltd - Bristol
Website: https://www.allmastic.co.uk/training-and-nvq-assessment
Phone: 01275 817599
Land drilling operative
Outcome: Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Drilling Operations - Land Drilling - Lead Driller
For provider information, please contact your local NEST adviser.
Hire and rental desk operative
Outcome: Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Hire and Rental Operations
Geographical Coverage: England, Scotland and Wales
Hire Association Europe - Birmingham
Website: https://www.hae.org.uk/hire-desk-training/
Phone: 0121 380 4600
Road safety marking operative
Outcome: Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Roadbuilding and Maintenance (Construction) - Pavement Marking (Manual)
Geographical Coverage: England, Scotland and Wales
Road Safety Markings Association - Gainsborough
Website: https://www.rsma.co.uk/courses/specialist-applied-skilled-programme/
Phone: 01427 610101
Hard metal roofing operative
Hard and soft metals roofing operative
Lead roofing operative
Outcome: Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Roofing Occupations (Construction) - Fully Supported Lead and Hard Metal Roofer and Cladder
Geographical Coverage: England, Scotland and Wales
Lead Sheet Training Academy - Kent
Website: https://leadsheet.co.uk/service/the-lsta-specialist-applied-skills-courses/
Phone: 01622 872432 or 07961 659802
Geographical Coverage: England, Scotland and Wales
National Construction Training Services - Hoddesdon
Website: https://www.ncts.org.uk/
Phone: 01992 801914
Liquid roofing operative
Outcome: Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Waterproof Membrane Roofing Systems (Construction) - Liquid Applied Membrane Roofing Systems
Geographical Coverage: England, Scotland and Wales
Liquid Roofing & Waterproofing Association - London
Website: https://www.lrwa.org.uk/training/training-and-upskilling-programmes-for-liquid-applicator/specialist-applied-skills-programme-sap/
Phone: 0333 987 4581
Single ply roofing installation operative
Outcome: Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Waterproof Membrane Roofing Systems (Construction) - Single Ply Membrane Roofing
Geographical Coverage: England, Scotland and Wales
Single Ply Roofing Association - Preston/Welwyn Garden City
Website: https://spra.co.uk/
Phone: 0845 154 7188
Stone fixer operative
Outcome: Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Stonemasonry (Construction) - External Stone Fixing or Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Stonemasonry (Construction) – Internal Stone Fixing
Geographical Coverage: England, Scotland and Wales
Priestman's Associates LLP - Nottingham
Website: https://www.priestmanweb.com/
Phone: 0115 986 7029
Oak frame post and beam installation operative
Outcome: Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Wood Occupations (Construction) - Structural Post and Beam Carpentry
Geographical Coverage: England, Scotland and Wales
Oak Frame Training Forum - Bristol
Website: https://theoftf.wordpress.com/specialist-applied-skills-programme-course-content/
Phone: 01275 462242
Surface preparation operative
Outcome: Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Specialist Concrete Occupations (Construction) - Substrate Preparation and Profiling
Geographic Coverage: England, Scotland and Wales
FeRFA – The Resin Flooring Association - Midlands
Website: https://www.ferfa.org.uk/specialist-applied-skills-programme-sap-schemes/
Phone: 07484 075254