CITB Covid-19 help for apprenticeships

The importance of apprenticeships and keeping skills within the industry has been highlighted by the CITB announcing grant assistance during the Covid-19 outbreak.

The Training Board is making available advanced payment of apprenticeship attendance grants for second and third year apprentices to help keep skills within the construction industry amid the coronavirus pandemic.

From 6th April apprentices already subject to CITB grant support will be able to apply for support.

Employers will need to complete a very brief online form, which is being developed, via the CITB website. The advance payment is subject to the standard terms and conditions and the reclaiming of grant paid if the apprentice leaves employment or completes their apprenticeship early.

The payments are available to support 7,500 apprentices, and will advance to employers up to £2,500 in attendance grant at a time when retaining apprentices is critical.

Braden Connolly, CITB Director of Products and Services, said: “Apprenticeships are essential to safeguard the future of the construction industry amid the skills shortage.

“The coronavirus outbreak is putting employers, in particular smaller firms, under extreme pressure and CITB will do all it can to support them through this crisis. We expect this advanced payment will enable some of the smallest apprentice employers to continue with their apprentice and avoid the need to furlough.”

This measure is complementary to the support the Chancellor announced for furloughed workers on Friday, and will give construction employers support to continue with their apprentice rather than laying off.

CITB urges all employers not to dismiss any apprentices without first contacting the Apprenticeship team.

If you would like to read more articles like this then please click here.

All information provided in this article is given in good faith. However, to the extent that any actions taken in relation to matters concerning procurement, the above article does not constitute legal advice to you. The contents of these articles are not to be construed as legal advice or a substitute for such advice, which you should obtain from your own legal advisors if required. We are not and shall not be held responsible for anything done or not done by you as a result of the information provided.