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Upskilling your Construction Industry workforce using Crisp and the CITB

February 13, 2025
How to use the CITB to upskill your employees if you're in the construction industry.

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) plays a crucial role in supporting UK construction businesses by funding training, skills development, and workforce upskilling. Through the CITB Levy, employers can invest in their teams. Therefore ensuring they have the knowledge and expertise needed to succeed in a competitive industry.

Through initiatives like the CITB Levy,  the CITB ensures that construction businesses have access to essential training and qualifications. This is done by providing funding opportunities and professional courses from an accredited Employer Network. These are not just technical construction skills, but also leadership, management, and business essentials.

At Crisp, we are proud to be a CITB Employer Network Provider. Here’s what construction businesses need to know about the CITB and how we can support them.

What is the CITB Levy?

The CITB Levy is a contribution paid by construction firms with an annual wage bill of £135,000 or more. The funds collected are then reinvested into the industry to support training and development.

The purpose of the levy is to ensure that all construction businesses, regardless of size, have access to high-quality training and skills development. Employers who contribute to the levy can claim funding to offset training costs, making it a valuable resource for workforce development.

The types of organisations that are classed as construction industry for CITB levy purposes include civil engineering, landscaping, scaffolding and tool and equipment hire. However, these are just some of the activities that the CITB classes as a construction industry activities.

What is a CITB Employer Network Provider?

A CITB Employer Network Provider is a recognised training provider that delivers industry-approved training courses and qualifications.

Why Work with a CITB Employer Network Provider Like Crisp?

As an Employer Network Provider, Crisp meets CITB’s high standards for training, giving employers confidence in the quality and relevance of the courses we provide.

Industry Recognition

Being an Employer Network Provider means we meet the high training standards set by CITB and other accredited licensing bodies, such as the ILM and Insights Discovery.

Funding

CITB-registered employers who pay the levy can apply for funding to help cover training costs. The CITB pay for up to 70% of the course cost, making the training more affordable when applying for eligible courses.

Easier Access to Training

Employers can easily find and book our CITB-approved training courses through the CITB’s Construction Training Directory.

Beyond Technical Training: Access Leadership, Management & Professional Skills

Many construction industry employers assume CITB funding only applies to trade-specific training (such as health and safety, scaffolding, or plant operation). However, CITB-registered companies can also use their funding to access professional development courses; critical for building a well-rounded, high-performing team.

At Crisp, we provide training in essential business and leadership skills, including:

These are crucial skills for the long-term success of construction industry businesses. Chiefly by ensuring that leaders can effectively manage teams, communicate with clients, and run efficient operations.

Maximise Your CITB Benefits with Crisp

If your business pays into the CITB Levy, it makes sense to take full advantage of the funding available. By working with an approved provider like Crisp, you ensure your workforce receives the best training possible, at a reduced cost.

If you’re a CITB-registered employer looking to book training, get in touch with us today to discuss how we can help.