CITB Levy Overhaul: What Employers Must Prepare For in 2025

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has announced major changes to how levy-registered employers access training and funding support. From September 2025, businesses will need to adapt quickly to ensure they continue receiving the right grants and resources.

These updates will reshape how companies use the CITB Levy, making it more important than ever for employers to understand what’s changing and how to prepare.

What Is the CITB Levy?

The CITB Levy is a system designed to raise funds across the construction industry to support training, skills development, and workforce growth. Employers that pay the levy can reclaim part of this investment through grants, helping cover the cost of essential training.

Until now, many businesses have relied on the CITB Skills & Training Fund to access financial support. However, this will soon be replaced.

👉 Learn more directly from the CITB homepage.

What’s Changing in 2025?

CITB is streamlining how levy-registered employers access funding:

• Skills & Training Fund closure: From 30th September 2025, the fund will close. Instead, employers will use the Employer Networks as the primary route to secure levy funding.

• Industry Accreditation uplift removed: From 30th December 2025, the uplift will end. This support was originally introduced to help workers transition after the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) phased out Industry Accredited CSCS cards in 2024.

• New online services platform: Launching 24th September 2025, the system will give employers more control of levy accounts and easier access to grant claims.

👉 For reference, see the CITB Skills & Training Fund.

How Employers Can Prepare

With these changes approaching, employers must review their workforce training strategies. Here’s how:

1. Engage with Employer Networks
   Build relationships with your local Employer Network to secure future levy-funded training opportunities.
2. Update workforce qualifications
   If your team still holds expired or soon-to-expire Industry Accredited CSCS cards, switch them to recognised alternatives now. For example, COSAC’s Safe2Site Online CSCS Green Card provides an accessible, CITB-approved route for operatives.
3. Consider bundled support
   Employers who want everything in one package can benefit from the Safe2Site Premium Package, which includes the course, HS&E test booking, and CSCS application support.
4. Invest in supervisors
   With site supervision requirements rising, now is the time to look at leadership pathways. The Safe2Site Supervision course offers a modern, online alternative to SSSTS.

Why These Changes Matter

For many firms, the CITB Levy can feel like just another tax. But in practice, it’s an investment that flows back into your workforce.

By moving away from the old Skills & Training Fund and towards Employer Networks, CITB wants to:

• Simplify the funding process
• Improve transparency on grant claims
• Give employers more control over levy accounts

This makes it easier for companies to see a direct link between what they pay and the training they receive.

Final Thoughts

The upcoming changes to the CITB Levy are significant, but they don’t have to be disruptive. Employers who act early — updating qualifications, connecting with Employer Networks, and making use of COSAC’s online training solutions — will be in the best position to succeed.

If you’re levy-registered, start planning now. Use this shift as an opportunity to streamline your training processes and futureproof your workforce.

👉 View all COSAC training courses