“This Isn’t Like Buying a Can of Beans”
11 May 2026
Why CITB Is Cracking Down on How Training Is Booked
For years, construction training has been treated like a commodity.
Click. Book. Attend. Pass.
But according to CITB, that model is no longer fit for purpose—and the consequences of getting it wrong are far more serious than a bad online purchase.
From January 2026, the rules have changed. And they’ve changed for a reason.
A System Under Pressure – And Breaking Point
CITB has been clear: demand for training support has surged, while funding has remained fixed.
As they stated when announcing the reforms, there has been a “36% increase in demand” for support without any increase in the levy rate.
The result?
A system under strain, where funding risked being spread too thin—and, more importantly, not always delivering real value.
In response, CITB has taken decisive action:
- Removing automatic grant funding for most short courses
- Introducing a more controlled, adviser-led booking process
- Channelling funding through Employer Networks and approved providers
This is not just a financial adjustment.
It’s a quality intervention.
CITB’s Position: Quality Must Come First
At the heart of the changes is a simple principle: training must deliver real competence.
When launching the Training Provider Network (TPN), CITB made its intent clear—this is about “quality-assured training” delivered by providers who meet strict criteria.
They go further, describing the new system as a way to:
- Create a “trusted pathway to quality training”
- Align provision with real employer needs
- Improve both accessibility and standards across the industry ()
In other words, CITB is no longer willing to leave training quality to chance.
Why Booking Now Goes Through Advisors
The shift to booking via CITB advisors (through Employer Networks) is central to this reform.
Under the new system:
- Employers must contact a CITB advisor to organise training
- Funding is allocated and approved through this controlled route
- Training is delivered by vetted, quality-assured providers
As industry guidance summarises it:
- “You must contact your local adviser who will help you identify and book your training needs.”
This removes the “free-for-all” approach of the past.
No more:
- Booking anything, anywhere
- Claiming funding afterwards
- Hoping the training meets the required standard
Instead, CITB is putting itself—and its advisors—directly in the middle of the process.
The Elephant in the Room: Brokers
While CITB doesn’t explicitly name them, the rise of brokers has played a significant role in shaping this change.
Over the last two decades, brokers have transformed how training is sold:
- Aggregating courses from multiple providers
- Competing aggressively on price
- Making booking fast and frictionless
On the surface, this looks like progress.
But beneath it lies a serious problem.
The Race to the Bottom
When training is sold like a commodity, price becomes the deciding factor.
And when price becomes the priority:
- Margins shrink
- Corners get cut
- Quality suffers
CITB’s move to centralise booking and funding is, in effect, a response to this.
Because training isn’t a product you can standardise like a supermarket item.
It’s a process that determines whether someone can:
- Safely manage a construction site
- Identify and mitigate risk
- Protect lives—not just pass an exam
Treating it like a “click and buy” product has contributed to inconsistent outcomes—and, in some cases, serious concerns around competence.
From Convenience to Competence
The old model prioritised convenience.
The new model prioritises control.
Under the revised system:
- Funding is no longer automatic
- Training must be justified, approved, and quality assured
- Providers must meet TPN standards to deliver CITB-backed training
CITB itself has stated that these changes are designed to “maximise the value of the Levy for industry.”
But value here doesn’t just mean cost efficiency.
It means outcomes.
Why This Matters for Safety
Construction remains one of the most high-risk industries in the UK.
Poor training doesn’t just lead to:
- Failed audits
- Invalid certificates
- Wasted funding
It leads to:
- Unsafe decisions on site
- Increased risk of accidents
- Real-world consequences for workers and employers
By tightening control over how training is accessed and delivered, CITB is addressing a deeper issue:
Competence cannot be compromised.
A Necessary Reset
This isn’t a minor policy tweak.
It’s a structural reset of how training is funded, accessed, and controlled.
- Grants replaced with guided funding routes
- Open booking replaced with advisor-led approval
- Unchecked providers replaced with quality-assured networks
And at the centre of it all is a clear message from CITB:
Training must work—not just exist.
The Bottom Line
If you’re a levy-paying employer, the implications are clear:
- You can no longer treat training like an online purchase
- You must work through CITB advisors to access funding
- You must engage with approved, quality-driven providers
Because this isn’t about making training harder to access.
It’s about making it worth something again.
And in an industry where lives depend on competence, that shift isn’t just justified—
It’s overdue
