CITB Funding Changes and Reform – What It Means for the Commercial Flooring Sector

By Shaun Wadsworth, CFA Training Manager

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) entered 2026 under renewed scrutiny following a series of funding changes announced in December 2025 and refined in March 2026. For businesses across the commercial flooring sector, many who operate outside CITB levy registration the direction of travel raises important questions about access to funding and future skills support.

In December 2025, CITB confirmed cuts to several training grants and funding streams, citing a rapid increase in demand and pressure on available budgets. These changes were not universally well received, with concerns raised around the pace of implementation and the perceived lack of consultation with industry before announcement. This led to increased criticism around transparency and responsiveness on how levy funds are allocated. Worryingly these issues were repeatedly highlighted in the Mark Farmer review, which called for a ‘fundamental reset’ of the Industrial Training Board model.

In March 2026, CITB provided further clarity on how funding will operate from April 2026. A key shift is the move toward a more segmented funding model based on employer size. Micro to medium-sized firms will access support through Employer Networks (EN) on a 50% matched funding basis, with capped contributions ranging from £1,500 to £4,500. Larger employers, meanwhile, will transition to a new ‘Large Employer Fund’, offering up to £18,000 annually for training aligned to agreed plans.

For commercial flooring contractors within CITB scope this introduces a mixture of opportunity and complexity. While Employer Networks may improve accessibility for smaller firms, the requirement for co-investment and capped funding may limit uptake, particularly for businesses already operating on tight margins. This is something that CFA and contractor members have already fed back to CITB, the rising cost of employing and training apprentices in the current climate being increasingly difficult to justify. CITB advised they could not offer any further direct funding support for apprentices.

Alongside these funding changes, attention has shifted to a broader structural reform: the proposed merger between CITB and the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB). A Government consultation launched on 23rd March 2026 and will run until 14th June 2026, seeking industry views on creating a single, unified training body. The proposed merger directly reflects recommendations from the Farmer review, which identified duplication, inefficiencies, and fragmentation across the current system.

For the flooring sector, the implications could be significant. A single training board and a possible revision of a levy order could fundamentally change flooring’s in-out relationship with the CITB levy.

However, the success of any merger will depend heavily on execution. Construction industry feedback to CITB has consistently highlighted the need for clearer communication, more agile funding mechanisms, and stronger engagement with employers at all levels, not just major contractors. Without addressing these underlying issues, structural reform alone may not deliver the ‘reset’ the construction sector has called for.

Ultimately, the coming months present a critical window for engagement. Flooring contractors, whether levy-paying or not, should consider contributing to the consultation ensuring their voice is heard. With skills shortages continuing to challenge delivery across the built environment, the evolution of CITB and its funding model will play a pivotal role in shaping the sector’s future workforce.

CFA will be calling for stronger, more targeted support for our sector, particularly for proven training initiatives such as FITA short courses, which continue to deliver high-quality outcomes without any direct backing from CITB for our training courses.

At a time when the industry is crying out for skilled labour, the lack of engagement in key areas of our sector is not just disappointing, it risks holding back the very progress CITB is meant to enable.

shaun@fita.co.uk
0115 950 6836
www.cfa.org.uk