Can I get a claim for first aid training through the CITB
If you work in construction, you may be wondering: “Can I claim CITB funding for first aid training?” It’s a common question for employers, site managers, and contractors looking to keep staff compliant while managing training costs.
The short answer is: CITB will only partially fund mental health awareness courses and no longer provides direct grant funding for first aid training under its main grants scheme.
However, the full picture is slightly more nuanced, and there are still ways to access support depending on when you booked and how your training is funded.
This guide explains everything in plain English, including what’s changed, what’s still supported, and which first aid courses meet CITB and HSE requirements.
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Is First Aid Training Funded by CITB?
As of the latest CITB funding rules, first aid training is no longer directly funded through the CITB Grants Scheme.
This means you cannot claim a standard CITB grant for courses like:
These courses are now excluded from short course grants.
However, support for some training is now delivered via Employer Networks (ENs) instead of direct grants.
Mental Health Awareness Course
But even under Employer Networks, first aid training is not currently supported. So in most cases, employers should expect to self fund first aid training.
What Are Employer Networks (ENs)?
Employer Networks are local groups funded by CITB that support employers with training needs.
CITB may:
- Match fund up to 50% of eligible courses
- Fund Health & Safety construction courses at around 30% of market rate
But:
- EN funding has a fixed annual budget
- Not all courses are included
- First aid training is excluded
So while ENs are useful for many construction courses, first aid is not one of them.
Important Booking Dates That Affect Funding
There is one important exception based on when the course was booked.
If your first aid training was:
- Booked before 8 December 2025
- And completed between 8 January and 31 March 2026
Then:
- You may still be eligible for funding
- But you must provide evidence of the original booking date
After this window, no first aid training is funded by CITB at all.
CITB updates its funding rules regularly, and it’s important to rely on the official source. You can view the current guidance directly on CITB’s website.
Health and Safety Courses - Supported via Employer Networks (Dec 2025) (Explains which H&S courses are still eligible for EN funding CITB Funding) and Changes December 2025 - FAQs (Full breakdown of what’s funded, what’s removed, and key timelines).
These pages give you the most accurate, up-to-date position straight from CITB.
Key CITB Funding Timeline (Simplified)
| Date | What it Means |
|---|---|
|
8 Dec 2025
|
New funding rules announced |
| 8 Jan 2026 | New rules take effect |
| 31 Mar 2026 | Large employers stop using EN funding |
| 1 Apr 2026 | New large employer funding model begins |
After January 2026, first aid training is effectively outside CITB funding.
So... Can I Claim for First Aid Training Through CITB?
In most cases: No
You cannot currently claim a CITB grant for:
- First Aid at Work Emergency
- First Aid at Work
Unless:
- Your course was booked before 8 December 2025
- And completed within the allowed transition period
Which First Aid Courses Do We Offer for Construction?
Even though funding has changed, first aid is still a legal and HSE requirement on construction sites.
At Safe Haven Training, we deliver CITB recognised and HSE compliant courses that meet site and workplace regulations:
First Aid at Work (3 Day)
Best for:
- High risk sites
- Supervisors & managers
- Large teams
Covers everything in EFAW plus:
- Serious injuries
- Fractures
- Burns
- Seizures
- Heart attacks & strokes
- Extended casualty care
Emergency First Aid at Work (1 Day)
Our courses:
- Meet HSE workplace requirements
- Are accepted across the construction industry
- Are delivered by qualified instructors
- Result in a certificate valid for 3 years
Why First Aid Is Still Essential (Even Without Funding)
Even without CITB grants, first aid training remains:
- A legal requirement under HSE
- A site compliance necessity
- A core part of risk assessments
Often required by:
- Principal contractors
- Site audits
- Insurance providers
- Health & safety policies
In simple terms:
You may not get funding but you still must have trained first aiders on site.
Can I Use Other Funding Routes?
Some employers use:
- Internal training budgets
- Health & safety compliance budgets
- In house, group discounts or onsite training
Refrences
1. CTIB: Health and Safety Courses Supported via Employer Networks | December 2025
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I get a CITB grant for first aid training?
No. CITB no longer offers direct grants for first aid courses.
2. Are first aid courses supported through Employer Networks?
No. First aid training is excluded from EN funding.
3. Was first aid ever funded by CITB?
Yes, but only for bookings made before 8 December 2025, and only within a short transition period.
4. Do construction sites still need first aiders?
Yes. This is a legal HSE requirement, regardless of funding.
5. Which first aid course is best for construction?
For most construction industry needs, we offer the First Aid at Work (3 Day)
The Bottom Line
CITB no longer funds first aid training. But first aid remains mandatory, regulated, and essential for construction employers.
If you’re responsible for health and safety on site, the real question is no longer: “Can I get funding?”
It’s: “Do I have trained first aiders who meet HSE requirements?”
And that’s exactly what our courses provide.