Plant standards and grants
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) introduced significant changes to its grants and funding offer, effective 8 January 2026. The changes represent a major shift in how financial support for training is delivered to UK construction employers.
Which courses are covered for grant?
CITB pays grant for completion of the following short courses, at least three hours in duration, and CPCS tests. CITB pays grant once for each individual per course, unless a standard specifies that a renewal or refresher is required.
Grant is available for:
- Excavator 360, above 10 tonnes (tracked)
- Forward tipping dumper (wheeled)
- Rear tipping dumper / dump truck: articulated chassis (all sizes)
- Ride on roller
- Telescopic handler: all sizes excluding 360 slew
- Industrial forklift
- Plant and Vehicle Marshaller
- Slinger, Signaller: all types, all duties
Alongside the new standards, grant arrangements for plant training and tests have changed. The original page says previous separate grants for practical tests, theory tests and short-course training have been replaced by a single grant for CITB-registered employers.
Download the plant categories document →The original page states: “CITB Grants have changed, They will now pay 50% of the Training cost. This will be paid direct to the Levy Paying Customer.”
Funding changes over time. Confirm current rates and eligibility directly with CITB before booking or making financial decisions.
How to apply
If you use an Approved Training Organisation (ATO) or Training Provider Network (TPN) member such as Vally Plant Training
When booking training, supply the learner’s details, including their National Insurance number, and your seven-digit CITB registration number.
After a learner achieves the course, Vally Plant Training will update CITB within 10 working days. CITB then enters the achievement on the Construction Training Register and processes the automated grant application.
Contact CITB Customer Services on 0344 994 4455 if payment has not been received within one month of achieving the course.
What this means for employers
The original page says the new standards affect twelve commonly used plant categories. It states that grant eligibility for applicable categories requires the training and testing to:
- Meet the new standard
- Lead to a card carrying the CSCS logo
- Be delivered by an Approved Training Organisation / Training Provider Network member
From 8 January, the source page says employers should use a TPN member and provide their CITB registration number so a claim can be submitted on their behalf. It also says the manual application option will not be available for the new standards. Other plant training separate from the new standards may remain eligible under the relevant process. Check current rules with CITB.
New grant rates listed on the source page
The original page describes an “experienced” plant grant rate for candidates needing some training before a test. It says experienced training must cover all elements of the new standard and is expected to last one to two days for many plant types. A higher “novice” grant rate is listed for employees with no experience on the machine type.
| Tier | New novice rate | New experienced rate |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | £550 | £250 |
| Tier 2 | £630 | £300 |
| Tier 3 | £880 | £470 |
These are the rates published on the source website. Confirm current grant amounts and eligibility directly with CITB.
What this means for employers
To be grant eligible under applicable new standards, the source page says training and testing must meet the standard, lead to a CSCS-logo card and be delivered by an ATO or TPN member. It says the employer must provide the CITB registration number so the approved provider can submit the claim.
Maximise your funding opportunities
We’ll guide you through the process to help you understand the funding information that may apply to developing a safer, more competent workforce.