The new CITB Grants Scheme year started on 1 August 2015 with a major change to who grants can be claimed for.

CITB-registered employers can continue to claim grants for all PAYE employees, but they can no longer receive any CITB grants for Labour Only Sub-Contractors.  Instead, they can claim grants for Net CIS sub-contractors and temporary agency staff.  Employers will have declared information about both PAYE employees and Net CIS sub-contractors on their most recent CITB Levy Return using the same information provided to HMRC via their payroll system and CIS300s in the year to 5 April 2015.

The majority of CITB grants available for training, qualifications and apprenticeships remain the same, including the daily attendance grant of £50.  However, there is an increase in the grants for approved ‘off the job’ training courses with an attendance grant of £100 per day and achievement grant of £750 now available.

Employers that pay the Levy are also eligible for a Supplementary Payment of 10% on all grants claimed as long as they completed and paid last year’s Levy Return on time and submitted this year’s Levy Return by 31 July 2015.  If contractors have not yet submitted their latest Levy Return, they will not be eligible for the 10% Supplementary Payment in this Grants Scheme year.

In order to claim any CITB grants from 1 August 2015 – 31 July 2016, employers must complete their 2015 Levy Return by 31 December 2015.

For further information, download the handy CITB Grants Scheme poster.