CITB Funding
Plant Standards and Grants
From 31/07/2023 CITB have launched new plant training standards and grants. The new standards will introduce standardised plant training and testing requirements across the construction industry.
The first set of new standards have been developed in collaboration with industry working groups, made up of employers, providers and federations. These new standards represent a real change in the way that plant training and testing is delivered, streamlining the system and making grants more accessible.
The changes have been introduced from 31/07/2023. The new standards will ensure safe, consistent and high-quality plant operations throughout England, Scotland and Wales.
The first phase of the changes will see new standards introduced for the following:
Excavator 360, above 10 tonnes (tracked)
Forward tipping dumper (wheeled)
Rear tipping dumper/dump truck: articulated chassis (all sizes)
Ride on roller
Telescopic handler: all sizes excluding 360 slew
Industrial forklift
Plant and Vehicle Marshaller
Slinger, Signaller: all types, all duties.
Alongside the new standards, the grant rates for plant training and tests will also be changed and improved. Currently, three smaller grants are available for practical test, theory test and short course training, which employers can apply in different ways. Under the new changes a single grant will be available for all CITB registered employers.
What this means for employers
The new standards affect eight of the most commonly used plant categories. In order to be grant eligible, the training and testing for these eight categories will have to:
Meet our new standards
Lead to a card carrying the CSCS logo, and
Be delivered by an Approved Training Organisations (Vally Plant Training Ltd).
From 31 July you will need to use an Approved Training Organisation (Vally Plant Training) and provide your CITB registration number, so that we can apply for the grant on your behalf. The option to apply for these grants manually will not be available for these standards.
Any other plant training that is separate from the new standards will remain eligible for grant and you will apply for the grant in the same way you currently apply.
New grant rates
For those who require some training before taking a test, CITB have introduced an “experienced” plant grant rate. In order to be eligible for the grant, experienced training will have to cover all elements covered in the new training standard and is expected to be 1-2 days in length for many types of plant.
A separate, higher “novice” grant rate will be available for employers who are putting staff through plant training, who have never had experience in the type of machinery they are being trained in. This is to help respond to the industry’s need for more people to become highly skilled and competent plant operators trained by Vally Plant Training.
Current grant rates and the new grant rates for the eight new standards are detailed below:
Tier 1
- Current training rate: £240
- Current CPCS testing rate: £250
- Maximum rate: £490
- New Novice Rate: £550
- New Experienced Rate: £250
Tier 2
- Current training rate: £240
- Current CPCS testing rate: £300
- Maximum rate: £540
- New Novice Rate: £630
- New Experienced Rate: £300
Tier 3
- Current training rate: £240
- Current CPCS testing rate: £470
- Maximum rate: £710
- New Novice Rate: £880
- New Experienced Rate: £470
Vally Plant Training
