If you run a construction company or manage a site workforce, you’ve almost certainly heard the rumours swirling around site cabins this year: “CITB has completely stopped grant funding for construction NVQs.”

With training demand spiking by over 36% across the sector, CITB pushed through massive, emergency funding structural changes that completely altered how companies claim cash back.

But here is the truth: Construction NVQ grants have not been stopped. However, the rules of the game have completely changed. If you are still trying to claim funding using old formulas, your applications are going to get rejected, leaving thousands of pounds on the table.

Let’s separate the myth from the reality and look exactly at what your business can still claim under the current CITB grant rules.

The Big Shift: What Actually Changed?

The confusion stems from a major overhaul to CITB’s budget management. To keep the Levy sustainable without raising rates, CITB completely restructured its two core funding pillars: Short Course Grants (day-long training) and Short Qualification Grants (NVQs).

Here is the exact breakdown of where the money stands today:

1. Short Course Training Grants Are No Longer Direct

Previously, if you sent a worker on a one-day health and safety course, you booked it, completed it, and claimed a direct grant. That pathway is officially dead.

Standard short courses—including SMSTS, SSSTS, and Temporary Works—have been completely removed from the traditional direct Grants Scheme. Instead, they are now handled exclusively through localized CITB Employer Networks, operating on a match-funding model (typically capped at a 50% or 30% contribution rate for health and safety courses).

The only exceptions that managed to retain direct, traditional short-course grant funding are high-risk, specialist sectors: Plant Operations and Scaffolding.

2. Construction NVQs: The New Flat-Rate Reality

Because NVQs are considered “Long Qualifications” or “Short Qualifications” (depending on the delivery path), they were not moved into the Employer Networks. They remain under the direct CITB Grants Scheme, but the old, “enhanced” cash bonuses have been completely axed.

During the recent transition window where the industry phased out old Grandfather Rights (Industry Accreditation) cards, CITB paid massive premium bonuses—up to £1,500—to get supervisors and managers qualified. Those premium rates have officially expired.

All non-apprentice construction NVQ achievements from Level 2 up to Level 6 now pay a single, flat-rate achievement grant of £600 to help you secure your permanent [CSCS Card Types].

2026 CITB NVQ Funding Matrix

To make it easy for your training coordinator or accountant, here is exactly what your business will be paid upon a candidate successfully achieving their qualification:

NVQ Level / Target CSCS Card	Old Historic Grant Rate	Current Achievement Grant
Level 2 NVQ (Blue Skilled Worker Card)	£600	£600 (Unchanged)
Level 3 & 4 NVQ (Gold Supervisory Card)	£1,250	£600
Level 6 NVQ (Black Management Card)	£1,500	£600
Level 7 NVQ (Senior Strategic Management)	£1,500	£0 (Fully Cut)

Critical Warning on Level 7 NVQs: If you are putting senior directors through the Level 7 NVQ Diploma in Construction Senior Management, note that CITB has completely withdrawn grant funding for this level. Only structured Level 7 Apprenticeships retain support.

Furthermore, all historic “attendance grants”—where employers could drip-feed claims while a learner was part-way through their portfolio—have been scrapped. You are now paid solely on achievement once the final certificate is issued.

Who is Eligible to Claim the £600 NVQ Grant?

You cannot simply book a cheap online course and expect a check from CITB. To successfully claim the £600 rebate, your business must tick the following compliance boxes:

• Levy Registered: Your company must be fully registered with the CITB and completely up to date with your Levy returns.

• Eligible Workforce: The candidate undergoing the NVQ assessment must be either a directly employed PAYE staff member or a registered CIS subcontractor.

• Approved Assessment Pathway: The qualification must be delivered by an approved training provider utilizing certified assessment methods like OSAT (On-Site Assessment and Training) or EWPA (Experienced Worker Practical Assessment).

How to Avoid the Temporary Card Bottleneck

Why does this matter right now? When the final deadlines hit for old uncertified cards, thousands of workers scrambled onto temporary Red Experienced Worker CSCS Cards to buy themselves time.

Those temporary cards are strictly non-renewable and typically last only one year. A massive wave of those cards are expiring over the coming months. If your workers do not finish their NVQs and transition to a permanent Blue, Gold, or Black card, they face being completely banned from tier-one sites.

Even though the grant has dropped from £1,500 to £600 for higher levels, £600 still covers a massive percentage of the actual cost of an On-Site NVQ assessment. Waiting around or letting temporary cards expire will cost your business far more in lost project tenders than finishing the NVQ portfolio today.

Let Us Handle Your 2026 Workforce Training Strategy

Navigating the brand-new CITB funding landscape while trying to keep your boots on the ground is a headache you don’t need.

We specialize in helping construction firms audit their current workforce, align their training plans with compliant CITB frameworks, and access fully accredited Level 2 through Level 6 NVQs seamlessly.

Don’t let your temporary cards expire, and don’t leave your £600 achievement grants on the table. Get in touch with our team today to secure your 2026 allocation slots and get your team fully qualified without the stress.

📞 Phone: 02046340001

✉️ Email: support@b2bnctraining.co.uk

Conclusion

If your workers do not finish their NVQs and transition away from temporary cards, check out our guide on [How to Upgrade Your CSCS Card] before they face being banned from tier-one sites.