CITB has recently reviewed which training courses qualify for plant grant funding and changed how employers can access this funding. On 18 March 2026, CITB launched phase three of its new plant training standards.
Below, we explain the new plant training standards, along with other funded training opportunities.
How much is the CITB plant training grant?
CITB plant training grants can help eligible construction employers reduce the cost of training novice and experienced plant operators. In 2026, eligible employers can access grants of up to £880 for novice operator training and up to £470 for experienced operator training, depending on the plant category and funding tier.
CITB has also introduced new plant training standards that affect which courses qualify and how employers access funding. This guide explains the current grant rates, eligible plant categories, employer requirements and how to claim.
Who is eligible for CITB plant training grants?
Employers may qualify for funding if they are registered with CITB and have submitted their Levy Returns on time. Employers can claim funding for directly employed staff, business owners, partners and subcontractors, subject to the relevant grant conditions.
CITB short course grant guidance.
In addition, to qualify for funding, the training must lead to a recognised card displaying the CSCS logo
Plant categories that qualify
CITB offers grants across a range of plant machinery categories, with funding rates varying according to the plant category and the operator’s level of experience.
Experienced operator grant
The experienced operator grant supports learners who already have experience using a particular type of plant machinery but require additional training before taking their test. To qualify for funding, the course must cover every element of the relevant experienced operator training standard.
Novice operator grant
By comparison, the higher novice operator grant supports employers training staff who have no previous experience operating the relevant type of plant machinery. The grant helps the industry develop more highly skilled, safe and competent plant operators.
More specifically, the available grant rates are split into three tiers:
| Plant Grant | Novice | Experienced |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | £550 | £250 |
| Tier 2 | £630 | £300 |
| Tier 3 | £880 | £470 |
In addition, CITB offers grants across a range of eligible plant machinery categories.
Plant training standards by grant tier
Tier 1
| Standard title | Effective from |
|---|---|
| Excavator 180° above 5 tonnes – lifting operations | 18 June 2025 |
| Excavator 180° below 5 tonnes – lifting operations | 18 June 2025 |
| Excavator 360° above 10 tonnes – lifting operations | 18 June 2025 |
| Excavator 360° below 10 tonnes – lifting operations | 18 June 2025 |
| Ride-on roller | 31 July 2023 |
Tier 2
| Standard title | Effective from |
|---|---|
| Dump truck: articulated chassis, up to 15 tonnes | 18 June 2025 |
| Dump truck: articulated chassis/rear-tipping dumper, all sizes | 31 July 2023 |
| Dump truck: rigid chassis, all sizes – tracked | 18 June 2025 |
| Dump truck: rigid chassis, all sizes – wheeled | 18 June 2025 |
| Dump truck: rigid chassis, up to 15 tonnes | 18 June 2025 |
| Dump truck: rigid chassis, up to 50 tonnes | 18 June 2025 |
| Excavator 180° below 5 tonnes | 18 June 2025 |
| Excavator 360° below 10 tonnes – tracked | 18 June 2025 |
| Excavator 360° below 10 tonnes – wheeled | 18 June 2025 |
| Forklift side loader | 18 March 2026 |
| Forward-tipping dumper – tracked | 18 June 2025 |
| Forward-tipping dumper – wheeled | 31 July 2023 |
| Industrial forklift truck | 31 July 2023 |
| Plant and vehicle marshaller | 31 July 2023 |
| Reach truck | 18 March 2026 |
| Rough-terrain masted forklift | 18 March 2026 |
| Skid-steer loader | 18 March 2026 |
| Slinger/signaller: all types, all duties | 31 July 2023 |
| Slinger/signaller: all types/static duties | 18 March 2026 |
| Slinger/signaller: excavator | 18 March 2026 |
| Slinger/signaller: loader crane, static duties | 18 March 2026 |
| Telescopic handler: all sizes excluding 360° slew | 31 July 2023 |
| Telescopic handler: all sizes including 360° slew | 18 June 2025 |
| Telescopic handler: industrial telescopic | 18 June 2025 |
| Telescopic handler: suspended loads | 18 June 2025 |
| Telescopic handler: up to 9 metres | 18 June 2025 |
Tier 3
| Standard title | Effective from |
|---|---|
| Crawler tractor/dozer | 18 March 2026 |
| Excavator 180° above 5 tonnes | 18 June 2025 |
| Excavator 360° above 10 tonnes – tracked | 31 July 2023 |
| Excavator 360° above 10 tonnes – wheeled | 18 June 2025 |
| Tracked loading shovel | 18 March 2026 |
| Wheeled loading shovel | 18 March 2026 |
How to claim a CITB plant training grant
Importantly, the claiming process depends on whether an ATO, TPN member or another eligible provider delivers the plant training.
Automatic claims through an ATO or TPN member
For novice and experienced operator training completed through an ATO or TPN member, CITB normally processes the grant application automatically.
When booking the training, the employer must provide:
- The learner’s full details
- The learner’s National Insurance number
- The employer’s seven-digit CITB registration number
Once the learner has successfully completed the plant training, the provider reports the achievement to CITB within 10 working days. CITB records the achievement on the Construction Training Register and processes the grant application.
Employers should contact CITB if they have not received payment within three months of the achievement date.
Manual plant grant claims
If the training provider does not report an eligible plant course or test automatically, the employer may need to submit a manual claim through the CITB Online Services portal.
However, for plant categories covered by the new standards, employers must use an Approved Training Organisation or TPN member. The provider reports the achievement to CITB, allowing CITB to process the grant application automatically.
Meanwhile, employers may need to claim funding for other grant-eligible plant training that the new standards do not yet cover through CITB Online Services within 52 weeks of the achievement date. Employers should confirm eligibility before booking.
Before booking with a provider that is not an ATO or TPN member, employers should check directly with CITB that the plant training remains eligible for grant funding. Training delivered under the new novice and experienced operator standards must meet the relevant CITB standard and provider requirements.
Further information is available in the CITB short course grant guidance.
Need help arranging grant-eligible plant training?
Therefore, if you are unsure which route applies to your workforce, SB Skills can help you identify the appropriate novice or experienced operator route, check the relevant plant grant tier and arrange suitable training for your workforce.
Contact our team before booking to discuss your requirements and confirm the current grant conditions.
How much can employers claim for plant training?
Eligible employers who are registered with CITB can claim up to £800 for novice plant operators and up to £470 for experienced operators. The funding that you access will all depend on the machinery and funding tier.
Does CITB fund novice plant operator training?
Yes, the CITB uses it’s short course grants to fund novice plant operator training.
Can employers claim for experienced operators?
Yes, an employer can claim for experienced operators, as long as they meet the industry specific criteria.
How long do employers have to submit a claim?
CITB set a deadline of 52 weeks to submit a manual CITB grant claim for the date you complete your course. You can only claim for eligible plant training that isn’t automatically reported.
Does the training provider need to be CITB approved?
The training provider needs to be an CITB Approved Training Organisation (ATO) or a member of the Training Provider Network (TPN) to claim plant training grants.
Need help arranging CITB grant-eligible plant training?
SB Skills Solutions provides plant operator training for employers and individuals across a range of CPCS and NPORS categories.
Our team can help you identify the appropriate novice or experienced operator route, check the relevant CITB plant grant tier and arrange suitable training for your workforce.
Contact SB Skills before booking to discuss your requirements and confirm the latest grant conditions.
