The Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) has announced that it will match The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) Employer Network contributions for Supervisor Skills Level 1 (SSL1) and Level 2 (SSL2) during ‘a period of changing CITB funding arrangements'.

Coming into effect today, these new matched contributions will reduce employer costs from £250 to £175 per learner, offering a ‘simple, low administration alternative' for employers who would otherwise be left to make use of ‘more complex CITB funding routes'.

Due to an increase in demand for its services and no rise in the Levy rate, CITB stated that demand was now exceeding Levy income, meaning that without changes, it would risk being unable to support programmes such as Employer Networks and the New Entrant Support Team (NEST).

Announced at the end of last year, most changes to CITB's grants and funding offer came into effect on 8 January. This included:

  • Removal of short course training grant, with Employer Networks as the main replacement funding route and a small number of courses to still be grant-funded
  • The scope of what is funded by Employer Networks is changing, as well as a reduction of the rate to 50% match funding
  • Funding for level 7 qualifications and attendance grant from long qualifications will be stopped
  • All non-apprentice achievement grants will be £600.

Two remaining changes are due to come into effect on 1 April 2026; large employers will be moved to a single large employer funding offer and will also no longer be able to access Employer Networks.

As these changes to CITB support come into effect, CIHT's match-funded option enables organisations to continue developing their supervisors ‘without delays, extensive forms, or extended approval processes'.

Sue Percy FCIHT CBE, chief executive of CIHT, said: ‘The highways and construction sectors are facing a well-documented skills shortage, including at supervisory level. This match funding offer is part of CIHT's wider commitment to supporting employers to develop and retain skilled people, providing a clear and practical pathway for supervisors to progress. By reducing costs and removing unnecessary administrative barriers while CITB funding evolves, we are helping employers and individuals keep their training moving and ensuring the sector has the capable, confident supervisors it needs both now and in the future.'

Developed by the Supply Chain Safety Leadership Group (SCSLG) and delivered by CIHT Learn, Supervisor Skills Level 1 and Level 2 provide ‘flexible digital learning' that covers safety, communication, wellbeing, environmental responsibility and advanced leadership. Available on-demand, they can be fit around shifts, operational pressures and dispersed work locations.

Mel Clarke OBE, National Highways director of health, safety and wellbeing, added: ‘National Highways is pleased to endorse the CIHT Supervisors Skills Programme. Having skilled supervisors, with advanced safety leadership and management capabilities, ensures that we effectively plan and put our people to work with safety as our top priority.'