Policy Objectives

ConstructionSkills’ vision is to be the enterprise that people want to work with and for, in order to create a fully qualified and professional UK construction industry. Our mission for the industry is to achieve a fully skilled and professional UK construction industry working safely and delivering value. To achieve this we need to deliver the Sector Skills Agreement that ConstructionSkills has developed and agreed with stakeholders across government, industry and education. It covers four key skills challenges, each of which has a number of priorities.

• Improving business performance
• Qualifying the existing workforce
• Recruiting qualified new entrants
• Improving the infrastructure in support of these priorities

These key themes are supported by the CITB‑ConstructionSkills Levy & Grant Department's Business Area’s mission to ensure that all in-scope employers understand and support the role of ConstructionSkills, are willing to pay their appropriate share of CITB-ConstructionSkills Levy, and consider that they receive good value from CITB‑ConstructionSkills Grant and other benefits.

The range of grants available offers structured financial support to assist employers and enable them to invest in quality training (especially for new entrants), leading to a more competent workforce and enhanced competitiveness.

The Grants for new entrant apprentices recruited during the grant year will be maintained over the three year period starting 1 August 2008, to allow longer term planning by employers and continuity for apprentices. Craft Grant Non Apprenticeship training grant now includes support for new entrants as well as upskilling existing workers. This grant contains elements modelled on Apprentice grants and is a two year package, incentivising VQ achievements.

Our main objective is to promote systematic training related to business needs. CITB‑ConstructionSkills Grants are available to influence the quality of training undertaken - the aim is to avoid skills gaps without over-training. The quality of training and development is controlled by standards of skill and knowledge agreed with industry. The requirements of National Vocational Qualifications/Scottish Vocational Qualifications have been taken into account in determining our pattern of approved training.

CITB‑ConstructionSkills Grants are provided to maintain or improve the quantity or quality of training and development. They are intended to share the cost of training, especially in occupations where there is a high level of mobility.

Training and Development Plans have been successful in supporting employers to develop and implement a structured approach to training and development. The Training and Development Plan grant is our most flexible grant. It supports a wide range of activities undertaken by an employer and covers employees of any occupation who undertake at least 30 minutes of qualifying training.

CITB‑ConstructionSkills grant rates have been set to reflect the urgency and importance of the training need. CITB‑ConstructionSkills Grants are not intended to cover the full cost of training and development.

We endorse the importance of industry-recognised apprenticeships by making an apprentice registration grant available, and by providing associated support for attendance on recognised training courses.

We aim to pay grants when the training is completed. Employers should submit their grant claims, as described in this document, as soon as possible after the completion of training and development and no later than the deadline specified for each grant.

ConstructionSkills is committed to equal opportunities in its services to clients including employers, employees and trainees. Our aim is to ensure that no client shall receive less favourable treatment than any other on the grounds of sex, race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, marital status, sexuality, political belief, disability or irrelevant offending background. Furthermore, no client will be disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justified.