CITB distribute new £442,268 of funding of SME’s

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The fund, which is part of CITB’s Flexible Fund, grants up to £5000 for levy payers with fewer than 50 employees, to provide skills and training to their workforce. To date, 104 successful applicants have received £442,268 in funding.

This round, all 60 small and micro construction firms, who were eligible for funding had their bids approved.

Four of the bids were successful this round having failed previously. The CITB funding team gave direct support to these firms, helping them to build a stronger case for their application.

For seven firms, it was the first time they had applied for funding, having just registered with CITB. Newly registered companies are able to apply for the Skills and Training Fund and for Apprenticeships as soon as they register, without any delay.

For three of the firms – Skippy Construction, R J Cadman and R J H Homes – it was the first time they had ever claimed CITB funding, despite being levy payers for some time.

One successful bidder is Fourply Construction, a Glasgow-based property maintenance firm, set to receive £5000 in CITB funding. The money will contribute to a business improvement training programme for 16 staff members.

Alan Morris, Director of Fourply Constructions, commented: “I can’t thank CITB enough. I found the application process simple and straightforward and the support I had from staff over the phone was excellent.

Other successful firms include Northumberland based firm, W L Straughan and Son, which specialises in outdoor maintenance and landscaping and will receive £4633.

The company’s director is nearing retirement so the money will support a succession planning training programme for staff to learn how to successfully take over the business.

Chartered surveyors from Southport, Paul Ennis Construction Services, will receive £5000 in funding for a project to provide eight staff members with leadership training.

Hull-based education furniture specialists, Sangwin, will also receive £5000. The funding will provide an introductory BIM course for 35 staff to provide everyone with an understanding of what BIM is, the drivers for its implementation and the benefits this technology offers.

Geeta Nathan, Head of Economic Analysis at CITB, said: “It’s excellent to see so many firms looking to CITB to help them improve their business by providing their staff with the skills and training they need.

“With our simplified funding process and support staff who are willing to help you every step of the way, I encourage even more firms to apply for funding when the next round opens later this month.”

More information on our next funding window and how to apply is available on our Flexible and Structured Fund page.