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CITB NI HAS LAUNCHED AN ENHANCED GRANTS SCHEME, WITH A £2.5M BUDGET, AIMED AT SUPPORTING SKILLS AND APPRENTICESHIPS IN CONSTRUCTION… Investing in future talent
Construction employers across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to take advantage of CITB NI’s enhanced Grants Scheme for the 2026/27 training year, which offers a wide range of funding support to help businesses develop their workforce, address skills shortages and invest in future talent. With a total grants budget of £2.5m available, the scheme provides financial support across a range of training and development activities, including apprenticeships, Higher Level Apprenticeships, NVQs, short-duration training, technical and professional qualifications, plant training, industry registration cards and assessor awards. One of the key enhancements for 2026/27 is increased support for Apprenticeships NI programmes. Recognising that the first year of an apprenticeship often represents the biggest investment for employers, CITB NI has increased its First-Year Employment Grant from £1,500 to £2,500. Employers can now access up to £7,500 over the course of an apprenticeship, providing additional support towards recruitment and training costs. Barry Neilson, Chief Executive of CITB NI, says, “As the construction industry continues to face skills shortages, attracting and developing new talent has never been more important. “Our enhanced apprenticeship grants are designed to support employers at a crucial stage of the apprenticeship journey, making it easier to invest in the next generation of skilled construction workers. Taking on an apprentice is not only an investment in your business, but also an investment in the future of the construction industry in NI.” To further support the industry’s future workforce needs, CITB NI and Construction Futures have
jointly launched Build My Path (www.buildmypath.co.uk), a pilot initiative designed to connect aspiring apprentices with employers across Northern Ireland’s built environment sector. Construction employers are encouraged to get involved by promoting their opportunities through the platform and engaging with the next generation of construction talent. The CITB NI Grants Scheme has been designed to make the application process as simple and accessible as possible. Employers can apply online and access support from CITB NI’s Grants Team throughout the process, from registration through to claim submission. To ensure eligibility, all grant claims must be submitted within three months of the commencement of training or registration onto a course or apprenticeship scheme. With enhanced apprenticeship support for apprenticeship NI programmes and funding available across a wide range of training activities, CITB NI is encouraging employers to explore the opportunities available and invest in the future skills needs of their business.
“We have found the CITB NI apprenticeship grant to be a valuable support for our business. The funding has helped us invest in the development of our apprentices, providing them with the skills, training, and experience needed to build successful careers within the construction and offsite manufacturing industry. “The grant has enabled us to continue investing in training while supporting the growth of our workforce. We have seen apprentices develop both technically and professionally, becoming valuable members of our team and contributing to the ongoing success of the business. “We appreciate the support CITB NI provides to employers and would encourage other businesses to take advantage of the opportunities available through the apprenticeship scheme.” Connex Offsite Ltd Case study: Employer Perspective by Connex Offsite Ltd For more information about CITB NI, visit www.citbni.orguk and follow CITB NI on LinkedIn, Facebook, Tik Tok, X and Instagram Want to know more?
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