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What the New CITB Employer Networks Funding Means for CITB Site Safety Plus Courses in 2026 

Home » What the New CITB Employer Networks Funding Means for CITB Site Safety Plus Courses in 2026 
ssp courses 2026

From January 2026, CITB funding for Site Safety Plus (SSP) courses has moved to a new Employer Network benchmark funding model. 

The key things employers need to know  

Funding has not been removed — but how its applied has changed

Instead of claiming a grant back after the course, CITB now contributes a fixed benchmark amount upfront, and your business pays the remaining balance at the point of booking. 

This page explains: 

  • What benchmark funding means in practice 
  • Which Site Safety Plus courses are covered 
  • What you should expect to pay in 2026 
  • How to plan and budget training with confidence 

What Is Employer Network Benchmark Funding? 

From 8 January 2026, most short-duration training — including Site Safety Plus — is no longer funded through the traditional CITB Grants Scheme. 

Instead: 

  • Funding is accessed through the CITB Employer Network 
  • Eligible Site Safety Plus courses receive a fixed benchmark contribution 
  • Your business pays the remaining balance upfront 

Why CITB has changed the model: 

This approach is designed to: 

  • Keep essential health & safety training supported 
  • Make employer contributions clearer and more predictable 
  • Remove uncertainty around post-course grant claims 

There is no reclaim process after the course — the funding benefit is reflected directly in the price you pay. 

Which Site Safety Plus Courses Are Covered? 

The following Site Safety Plus courses are eligible for Employer Network benchmark funding, subject to employer eligibility and funding availability. 

2026 Site Safety Plus Benchmark Pricing – Our SSP Market Rates 

CourseDurationWho it's forYour EN funded Price (INC VAT)Your EN funded Price (EX VAT)Employer Network Benchmark Rate (INC VAT)Full Course Price (INC VAT)
DRHS1 dayDirectors, senior managers, business owners£174£145£60£234
SMSTS5 daysSite managers£479£399.17£115£594
SMSTS Refresher2 daysExisting SMSTS holders£365£304.17£55£420
SSSTS2 daysSite supervisors£239£199.17£115£354
SSSTS Refresher1 dayExisting SSSTS holders£179£149.17£55£234
TWC2 daysThose managing or coordinating temporary works£359£299.17£115£474
TWC-R1 dayExisting TWC certificate holders£245£204.17£55£300
TWS1 dayThose supervising or coordinating temporary works£240£200£60£300

Prices shown are the employer contribution after Employer Network benchmark funding. 

Our 2026 Site Safety Plus Course Dates 

All courses below are eligible for benchmark funding via the CITB Employer Network, subject to employer eligibility and available funding. 

Director’s Role for Health & Safety (DRHS – Site Safety Plus) 

Duration: 1 day 
Who it’s for: Directors, senior managers and business owners 

2026 Course Dates 

  • 2 February 2026 
  • 2 March 2026 
  • 6 April 2026 
  • 4 May 2026 
  • 1 June 2026 

You pay: £145 + VAT per person 

*Funding subject to Employer Network eligibility and availability 

SMSTS – Site Management Safety Training Scheme 

Duration: 5 days 
Who it’s for: Site and project managers 

2026 Course Dates 

  • 16 – 20 February 2026 
  • 16 – 20 March 2026 
  • Day release March 30th , April 07th , April 13th , April 20th , April 27th 
  • 20 – 24 April 2026 
  • 18 – 22 May 2026 
  • 15 – 19 June 2026 

You pay: £399.17 + VAT  per person 

*Funding subject to Employer Network eligibility and availability 

SMSTS Refresher 

Duration: 2 days 
Who it’s for: Managers renewing SMSTS certification 

2026 Course Dates 
Call 01623 287830 for dates for group bookings (5+ remote) 

You pay: £304.17 + VAT per person 

*Funding subject to Employer Network eligibility and availability 

SSSTS – Site Supervisors Safety Training Scheme 

Duration: 2 days 
Who it’s for: Site supervisors and those with supervisory responsibility 

2026 Course Dates 

  • 9 – 10 February 2026 
  • 9 – 10 March 2026 
  • 7 – 8 April 2026 
  • 11 – 12 May 2026 
  • 8 – 9 June 2026 

You pay: £199.17 + VAT per person 

*Funding subject to Employer Network eligibility and availability 

SSSTS Refresher 

Duration: 1 day 
Who it’s for: Supervisors renewing SSSTS certification 

2026 Course Dates 
Call 01623 287830 for: 

  • Groups of 5+ (remote) 
  • Groups of 8+ (face-to-face) 

You pay: £149.17 + VAT per person 

*Funding subject to Employer Network eligibility and availability 

Temporary Works Co-ordinator (TWCTC) 

Duration: 2 days 
Who it’s for: Appointed Temporary Works Co-ordinators 

2026 Course Dates 
Call 01623 287830 for groups of 10+ (remote or face-to-face) 

You pay: £299.17 + VAT per person 

*Funding subject to Employer Network eligibility and availability 

Temporary Works Co-ordinator Refresher (TWCTC-R) 

Duration: 1 day 

2026 Course Dates 
Call 01623 287830 for groups of 10+ (remote or face-to-face) 

You pay: £204.17 + VAT per person 

*Funding subject to Employer Network eligibility and availability 

Temporary Works Supervisor (TWSTC) 

Duration: 1 day 

2026 Course Dates 
Call 01623 287830 for groups of 10+ (remote or face-to-face) 

You pay: £200 + VAT per person 

*Funding subject to Employer Network eligibility and availability 

Health & Safety Awareness (HSA – Site Safety Plus) 

Duration: 1 day 
Who it’s for: Operatives and those new to construction sites 

2026 Course Dates 
Call 01623 287830 for: 

  • Groups of 5+ (remote) 
  • Groups of 8+ (face-to-face) 

You pay: £90 + VAT per person 

*Funding subject to Employer Network eligibility and availability 

What Employers Should Do Next 

  1. Plan 2026 training early to secure course places 
  2. Confirm Employer Network eligibility before booking 
  3. Speak to us if you need help understanding funding or booking evidence 
Frequently Asked Questions 
What is the benchmark funding for Site Safety Plus courses?

The benchmark funding is part of CITB’s updated Employer Network model starting January 2026. Eligible Site Safety Plus courses receive a set benchmark rate, with the remaining balance paid by your company. This approach helps employers clearly see training costs while still accessing essential health and safety qualifications.

Which Site Safety Plus courses are eligible for the benchmark funding?

The Health & Safety Awareness, Director’s Role for Health & Safety (DRHS), SSSTS and its refresher, SMSTS and its refresher, Temporary Works Co-ordinator (TWCTC and TWCTC-R), and Temporary Works Supervisor (TWSTC) are eligible for the funding. First Aid and other non-SSP courses are not covered under this funding and most are funded under Employer Networks match funding.

How does the benchmark funding affect the price my company pays?

CITB contributes the set benchmark rate for eligible courses. The remainder is payable by your company. Actual costs may vary depending on provider pricing and CITB confirmation. The indicative funding examples in the blog give a useful guide to expected contributions.

Where can I find the 2026 course dates for Site Safety Plus courses?

All course dates are listed in the relevant sections of this blog. For some courses, you can call 01623 287830 to check availability. 

Do I need to be an Employer Network member to access funding?

Yes. Your company must be eligible and enrolled in the CITB Employer Network to access the funding, Confirming eligibility before booking is strongly recommended to ensure funding applies. 

Are these funding amounts guaranteed?

Funding approval is subject to the Employer Network’s confirmation and available funds.

Can I use this funding for refresher courses?

Yes. Refresher courses for SSSTS, SMSTS, and Temporary Works Co-ordinator are included under the benchmark funding model. Funding applies in the same way as for full courses.

How can I plan training effectively for 2026? 

It is best to plan early to secure course places. Confirm Employer Network eligibility, review the course dates, and contact us if you need help with funding or booking. Early planning ensures you maximise the 30% benchmark contribution and deliver training on time.