The fund, which is part of CITB’s Flexible Fund, grants up to £5000 for levy payers with fewer than 50 employees, to provide skills and training to their workforce. To date, 104 successful applicants have received £442,268 in funding.
This round, all 60 small and micro construction firms who were eligible for funding had their bids approved.
Four of the bids were successful this round having failed previously. The CITB funding team gave direct support to these firms, helping them to build a stronger case for their application.
For seven firms, it was the first time they had applied for funding, having just registered with CITB. Newly registered companies are able to apply for the Skills and Training Fund and for Apprenticeships as soon as they register, without any delay.
For three of the companies it was the first time they had ever claimed CITB funding, despite being levy payers for some time.
Geeta Nathan, Head of Economic Analysis at CITB, said: “It’s excellent to see so many firms looking to CITB to help them improve their business by providing their staff with the skills and training they need.
“With our simplified funding process and support staff who are willing to help you every step of the way, I encourage even more firms to apply for funding when the next round opens later this month."