HR & Workforce · Best Practice · Pre-Construction

Apprenticeship Training Agreement

An agreement between the employer, apprentice, and training provider setting out the apprenticeship programme.

Last reviewed: 29 March 2026 — This guide reflects UK law as of this date. CITB / Apprenticeship Levy remains current with no amendments enacted as of 29 March 2026. Next scheduled review: 29 March 2027.

Legal basis	CITB Industry Training Board / Apprenticeship Levy (Finance Act 2016)
Agreement type	Tripartite agreement between the employer, the apprentice, and the approved training provider
Apprenticeship Levy	0.5% of an employer's annual paybill where the paybill exceeds £3 million — levy funds expire after 24 months if not used
CITB Levy	A separate industry-specific levy administered by the Construction Industry Training Board, distinct from the Apprenticeship Levy
Standards	Apprenticeship standards replaced apprenticeship frameworks from August 2020 — all new starts must be on an approved standard
Duration	Minimum 12 months, with at least 20% of the apprentice's contracted hours spent on off-the-job training

1. Apprenticeship Training Agreement

The apprenticeship training agreement is the foundation for developing the next generation of skilled construction workers. The UK construction industry faces a well-documented skills shortage, with an ageing workforce and insufficient numbers of new entrants to replace those retiring. Apprenticeships are the primary route through which the industry trains and develops new talent, combining practical on-site experience with structured off-the-job learning delivered by an approved training provider.

The agreement is a tripartite document involving three parties: the employer, the apprentice, and the training provider. It sets out the apprenticeship standard being followed, the duration of the programme, the training plan, the employer's obligations to provide workplace learning opportunities, the training provider's obligations to deliver the off-the-job training curriculum, and the apprentice's obligations to attend, participate, and complete the required assessments. The agreement must be signed by all three parties before the apprenticeship commences.

Since August 2020, all new apprenticeship starts must follow an approved apprenticeship standard rather than the older framework model. Apprenticeship standards are employer-led and define the knowledge, skills, and behaviours that the apprentice must demonstrate at the end-point assessment (EPA) to achieve occupational competence. The minimum duration is 12 months, and at least 20% of the apprentice's contracted hours must be dedicated to off-the-job training — this can include day release to college, block release, online learning, and structured workplace training that is distinct from normal productive work.

Levy funds expire after 24 months

Employers who pay the Apprenticeship Levy (0.5% of annual paybill exceeding £3 million) receive funds in their digital apprenticeship service account on a monthly basis. These funds expire 24 months after they enter the account if they have not been committed to an apprenticeship programme. Construction employers should plan their apprenticeship intake strategically to ensure that levy funds are utilised before they expire. Expired funds cannot be recovered. The CITB Levy is a separate obligation and does not interact directly with the Apprenticeship Levy digital account.

2. Key Content

The apprenticeship training agreement should include the following elements. All three parties must review and sign the agreement before the apprenticeship programme begins.

Field	Detail
Parties	Full legal names and addresses of the employer, the apprentice, and the approved training provider — all three must be named as signatories to the agreement
Apprenticeship standard	The specific approved apprenticeship standard being followed (e.g. Bricklayer Level 2, Construction Site Supervisor Level 4), including the standard reference number
Duration	The planned duration of the apprenticeship in months, which must be a minimum of 12 months. The expected start and end dates should be clearly stated
Off-the-job training	The planned off-the-job training hours and delivery method (day release, block release, online, or workplace-based). A minimum of 20% of contracted hours must be dedicated to off-the-job training
Training provider	The name and Ofsted registration details of the approved training provider responsible for delivering the off-the-job training and supporting the apprentice through to end-point assessment
Funding	The funding band for the apprenticeship standard, whether the employer is a levy payer or is accessing co-investment funding, and the agreed price negotiated with the training provider
Apprentice pay	The apprentice's rate of pay, which must be at least the national minimum wage for apprentices in year one, and the national minimum wage for their age group thereafter
End-point assessment	Details of the end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) and the assessment methods that the apprentice must complete to achieve the apprenticeship (e.g. practical test, professional discussion, portfolio)
Obligations	The specific obligations of each party: the employer to provide workplace learning and mentoring, the training provider to deliver the curriculum and monitor progress, and the apprentice to attend, participate, and complete all required work
Signatures	Dated signatures from a representative of the employer, the apprentice (and parent/guardian if under 18), and a representative of the training provider

3. Common Mistakes

Not using an approved apprenticeship standard

Since August 2020, apprenticeship frameworks have been withdrawn and all new apprenticeship starts must follow an approved apprenticeship standard. Employers who attempt to register an apprentice on a framework that has been withdrawn will find that funding is not available and the programme will not be recognised. Before committing to an apprenticeship, the employer and training provider must confirm that the standard is current, approved, and that there is at least one registered end-point assessment organisation available to assess the apprentice. Using an outdated or unapproved programme wastes time, loses funding, and leaves the apprentice without a recognised qualification.

Not meeting the 20% off-the-job training requirement

The 20% off-the-job training requirement is a mandatory condition of all funded apprenticeships, not a guideline or aspiration. Off-the-job training must be delivered during the apprentice's normal contracted working hours and must be directly relevant to the apprenticeship standard. Common failures include employers treating the apprentice as a regular employee and not releasing them for training, or counting normal productive work as off-the-job training when it does not meet the definition. If the 20% threshold is not met, the training provider is in breach of their funding agreement and the apprenticeship may be withdrawn. Employers must plan workloads to accommodate the training requirement from the outset.

4. Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CITB Apprenticeship Grant?▾

The CITB Apprenticeship Grant is a financial incentive paid by the Construction Industry Training Board to employers who take on apprentices in construction-related occupations. The grant is separate from Apprenticeship Levy funding and is available to both levy-paying and non-levy-paying employers who are registered with CITB. The grant is typically paid in instalments across the duration of the apprenticeship, with payments linked to the apprentice achieving key milestones such as completing the first year and passing the end-point assessment. The grant amounts vary by apprenticeship level and are reviewed annually by CITB. Employers must apply for the grant through the CITB grants portal and must be up to date with their CITB Levy returns to be eligible. The grant is intended to offset some of the costs of employing and training an apprentice, including wages during off-the-job training, supervision costs, and any equipment or materials required for workplace learning.

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