A new grant is being piloted by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) from this September, called the Into Work grant. This grant aims to bridge the skills gap in the construction industry while offering substantial support to you, the employers. In this article, we explore the key details of the grant and the opportunities it presents for construction industry stakeholders.
Empowering the Construction Workforce:
The Into Work grant offers financial support to employers who provide an initial work experience placement linked to a specific qualification, as well as direct employment. This is expected to help with the costs of hiring and mentoring new entrants and increase the number of new entrants progressing from Further Education (FE) through to employment.
Two Essential Components:
The Into Work grant is available to all CITB-registered employers and consists of two components:
1. Work Experience Completion: You can secure a £500 grant when students successfully complete the work experience segment of an approved further education course.
2. Direct Employment: A second payment of £1,000 is available to you, following a three-month period of direct employment with the individual, which includes either full time employment or an apprenticeship. This is to support employers in the first few months of training in a new role.
Eligibility Requirements:
To access these grants, employers must meet specific criteria, including CITB registration, up-to-date Levy Returns, and adherence to the grant policies. This ensures that the initiative aligns with industry standards and goals.
Supporting Relevant Courses:
The grants are dedicated to further education construction courses where work experience plays a pivotal role. This includes:
- T Level
sin Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction - T Level in Onsite Construction
- And select Diploma courses.
The Financial Incentive:
The two-stage support approach aims to encourage you to further commit to learners, providing vital mentoring and guidance, following completion of work experience placements. This not only helps to bridge the skills gap but also contributes to the industry’s sustainability.
Application and Evidence:
You can apply for the work experience grant immediately after completion, and following the three months of direct employment. Both applications must be submitted within 52 weeks of the respective milestones. Evidence includes documentation from the educational institution and PAYE records for direct employment.
Limitations and Additional Grants:
Each employer can receive a maximum of five work experience grants and five employment grants per year, allowing for a total potential of £7,500 annually. Additionally, you may be eligible for separate apprenticeship grants if the student completing direct employment is on an apprenticeship track.
Conclusion:
The construction industry is experiencing a severe shortage of skills, with CITB’s latest Construction Skills Network (CSN) report stating that an additional 225,000 workers will be needed to meet UK demand by 2027. Research also shows poor progression from Further Education to employment, meaning industry is losing out on vast untapped potential and employers are struggling to find the talent needed for their businesses to thrive. Initiatives like the Into Work grant are essential for the continued growth and success of the construction industry, and this pilot will play a key role in tackling the skills shortage, while improving construction’s people pipeline.
For more information please visit: Into Work grant - CITB
