National Apprenticeship Week 2024* will take place from 5 - 11 February 2024 and the theme is 'Skills For Life'. We want to make sure that FMB members have all the information they need to fully explore the benefits of taking on an apprentice and providing them the training they need to grow into a future asset to the construction sector.
Apprentices are the future of the construction sector, and SME construction businesses have a proud history of training and supporting new entrants into the sector through apprenticeships.
Take a look below for more information if you’re interested in strengthening your workforce for the future through hiring an apprentice.
*In Scotland, Scottish Apprenticeship Week will take place from 4 - 8 March 2023.
How to train an apprentice
We spoke to David Smallcombe and Charlie Braidwood of FMB member company David Smallcombe Ltd about their commitment to train the next generation of construction professionals. We also spoke to apprentice Harry Castle about the highlights of his apprenticeship experience so far.
Where can I find information about construction apprenticeships?
Construction Industry Training Board (CITB)
CITB is the industry training board in England, Scotland and Wales, and its purpose is to support the construction industry to attract talent and support skills development. CITB is the main training provider for the construction industry in the UK, and all construction businesses are required by law to register with the CITB.
CITB Northern Ireland (CITB NI)
CITB operates separately in Northern Ireland as CITB NI, which is a strategic partner of CITB.
CITB Levy payments
CITB charges a ‘levy’, which is imposed on employers in the construction sector that are ‘engaged wholly or mainly in construction industry activities’. The levy amounts are calculated on a company’s total wage bill and some exemptions and reductions apply for small employers.
Grants and training
CITB provides a wide range of grants and funding to support training needs within the construction industy, and also provides access to training courses. In addition to funding support, CITB training advisers help businesses to determine their training needs and then access support and funding available to them to deliver training.
CITB support services
In addition to providing grants and training courses, the CITB offers a wide range of support services and resources related to training and skills for construction businesses. Other services include e-learning, card checks (e.g. CSCS cards), HS&E tests, short courses, and events. The CITB also publishes information on industry training standards and frameworks.
Learn more about how CITB supports the skills needs of the construction sector in the UK.
England
Other industry resources
- Cross-industry Construction Apprenticeship Taskforce (CCATF)
The CCATF is a cross-industry initiative designed to increase apprenticeship training within the industry by encouraging and supporting employers to take on apprentices. CCATF supports greater collaboration among industry peers and stakeholders and also provides employers with information on the benefits of employing apprentices. - London Progression Collaboration
The LPC offers fully-funded apprenticeship support to businesses in Greater London with undertaking the practical steps to take on apprentices - Leeds College of Building
The Leeds College of Building is the UK’s only specialist Further Education construction college, and it provides a recruitment service to employers looking for apprentices.
General information
- Apprenticeships.gov.uk
Through this website the Government provides information to employers on how to find a training provider, advertise available apprenticeship positions and access funding. You can also access information about the benefits of hiring an apprentice.
Northern Ireland
Other industry resources
- Construction Industry Training Board Northern Ireland
CITB NI has produced a Guide to Construction Apprenticeships for Employers, which includes information on apprenticeship levels and types for construction, links to training providers, options for publishing apprenticeship vacancies and details about funding and grants.
General information
- NI Business Info
NI Business Info provides information for employers who are planning to take on an apprentice and deliver work-based training. - NI Direct government services
NI Direct also publishes general information on apprenticeships in Northern Ireland for both employers and those wanting to start an apprenticeship.
Scotland
Other industry resources
- Skills Development Scotland (SDS)
SDS is Scotland's national skills agency. The organisation provides information on construction apprenticeship frameworks.
General information
- Apprenticeships.scot
The Scottish Government website, which provides information on general apprenticeship support including how apprenticeships are funded, who delivers training in Scotland, the role of employers and how to get involved.
For the latest information on construction apprenticeships in Scotland, please contact FMB Scotland Director Gordon Nelson.
Wales
Other industry resources
- Shared Apprenticeship Schemes
In Wales there are two Shared Apprenticeship Schemes - Cyfle Building Skills in the South West and Y Prentis in the South East.
General information
- Careers Wales
Careers Wales is a government website that provides general information on apprenticeships including information on associated costs, recruitment incentives, where to advertise an apprenticeship vacancy, and how to access support schemes. - Welsh Government
Welsh Government also provide details on how to recruit an apprentice.
What financial support is available to help businesses train an apprentice?
UK-wide support schemes
- Shared Apprenticeship Scheme
The Shared Apprenticeship Scheme allows employers to take on an apprentice for a short duration with no commitment to employ the apprentice at the end. There are currently 10 schemes running across Great Britain. The scheme is supported by CITB, which is investing £1million into the scheme.
England
- Apprenticeship grants for employers
CITB provide grants for apprenticeships of Level 2 if your company is CITB registered and up-to-date on its Levy payments. The grants cover off-the-job attendance and achievement of the apprenticeship.
Attendance grant: £2,500 per year.
Achievement grant: £3,500 on successful completion.
There is an additional amount available for Interior Systems Installer apprenticeships. - Government support for non-levy payers
Employers pay 5% towards the cost of training and assessing an apprentice. The Government will pay the rest (95%) up to the funding band maximum, which will be paid directly to the training provider.
Northern Ireland
- CITB NI Grants
Businesses registered with CITB NI can claim £8,000 for a fully employed apprentice over a three year period. - Apprenticeships NI - Employer Incentive Payments
Under this programme, payments are made to employers whose employees successfully complete their Level 2 and/or Level 3 apprenticeship framework. Incentives range from £250 to £1,500 depending on the level of complexity of the apprenticeship and the age of the apprentice.
Scotland
- CITB Apprenticeship Grant on Approved Apprenticeships
This grant covers off-the-job attendance with an approved Apprenticeship training provider, and achievement of an apprenticeship. You can only apply for grants for directly employed individuals.
Attendance grant (for starts from 1 April 2020): £2,500 per year.
Achievement grant: £3,500 on successful completion.
For the latest information on the financial support available to help businesses train an apprentice in Scotland, please contact FMB Scotland Director Gordon Nelson.
Wales
- CITB Apprenticeship Grant on Approved Apprenticeships
This grant covers off-the-job attendance with an approved Apprenticeship training provider, and achievement of an apprenticeship. You can only apply for grants for directly employed individuals.
Attendance grant (for starts from 1 April 2020): £2,500 per year.
Achievement grant: £3,500 on successful completion.
What other funding and support is available for training?
Schemes are not necessarily wholly related to apprenticeships.
CITB funding schemes
- CITB funding schemes for skills and training
- Skills and training fund for small and micro-sized businesses (1 - 9.9 employees)
Funding to support businesses to address skills gaps, introduce new ways of developing the work force and using training to support the business (e.g. management skills). Businesses can apply once every 12 months and funding is based on number of employees:- £5,000 for 1 - 49 employees.
- £7,500 for 50 - 74 employees.
- £10,000 for 75 - 99 employees.
- Skills and training fund for medium-sized businesses (100 - 250 employees)
Funding to support businesses to address skills gaps, introduce new ways of developing the work force and using training to support the business (e.g. management skills). Businesses can apply once every 12 months and funding is based on number of employees:- £15,000 for 100 - 149 employees.
- £20,000 for 150 - 199 employees.
- £25,000 for 200 - 250 employees.
- Qualification grants including short-period qualifications (less than one year), long-period qualifications (more than one year), work experience grants and Specialist Applied-skills programme grants.
- Short course grants for course that last from three hours to 29 days and are focused on core construction skills.
- Skills and training fund for small and micro-sized businesses (1 - 9.9 employees)
Talent Retention Scheme
- Talent Retention Scheme
The Talent Retention Scheme was established by the Construction Leadership Council in response to the coronavirus pandemic to support construction workers and employers to search for contract and permanent roles as well as apprenticeships.
National Skills Fund
- National Skills Fund
The National Skills Fund supports adults aged 24 and over who want to achieve their first Level 3 qualification. Courses will be varied and will include qualifications in building and construction. Funding for providers is yet to be announced.- Lifetime Skills Guarantee backed by the National Skills Fund
From April 2021, adults will be able to gain new skills through free courses. Almost 400 fully-funded courses will be on offer, including courses on plastering, bricklaying, painting and decorating and more. The scheme also includes courses for school and college leavers.
- Lifetime Skills Guarantee backed by the National Skills Fund
Inspiring the next generation
Become a Construction Ambassador
Do you want to inspire others to pursue a career in construction? Join the CITB's Construction Ambassador programme to engage with young people through careers fairs, presentations and workshops.
Become an End Point Assessor
Industry professionals who wish to mix up their “on the tools” work with apprenticeship assessments are encouraged to become an End Point Assessor to help ensure an apprentice’s competence is assessed to the highest industry standards.
As each devolved nation runs a different system to recruit and train assessors please contact the FMB in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to find out more.
How the FMB supports apprenticeships
- Training Group
The FMB Training Group is comprised of members who are passionate about training the next generation to tradespeople to a high standard. Its purpose is to promote and encourage educational and training projects within the construction industry, with a particular focus on apprenticeships and how to attract new entrants into the industry. Representatives from the Department for Education and CITB also contribute to this group. - Trailblazer Group
Acting on the findings of our recently published Trading Up Report, the FMB is in the process of setting up a Trailblazer Group, to work alongside The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education with an aim to establish a multi-trade apprenticeship. - Trading Up report
Published in 2020, the FMB's Trading Up report outlines a blueprint for how industry bodies can work in partnership to scale-up current levels of training among the UK’s domestic workforce. Read the Trading Up report. - Skills and training campaign
FMB Directors in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales engage with local members and policy makers to support construction apprenticeships. Find out more about our campaign to make it easier for SMEs to take on apprentices, and to provide training for their existing workforce.
Want to become an apprentice?
There are many great reasons to pursue a career in construction and apprenticeships provide a helpful path into the industry. If you're considering becoming an apprentice, you can check out the resources below to take your first step towards a new career.
GoConstruct
GoConstruct is managed by CITB and provides detailed information about careers in construction and guidance on the next steps to take if you're looking for a construction apprenticeship.
Apprenticeships.gov.uk
Apprenticeships.gov.uk provides information on everything you need to know about becoming an apprentice including how to choose the right apprenticeship for you, what are the benefits, and how to apply.
How to find an apprenticeship near you
- England: UK Government
- Northern Ireland: NI Direct
- Scotland: Apprenticeships.scot
- Wales: Careers Wales
