Grants Scheme 2014-2015
www.citbni.org.uk
Grants booklet 2014/2015 Contents Page Introduction 2 Tier 1 Direct Grants to Employers 3-8 Tier 1 Essential Information Summary of Terms & Conditions 9 Tier 2 Industry Support 10 Tier 3 Facilitated Training 11-12 Details of Employer Events 13 1
The purpose of CITB NI is to encourage a culture of training and qualification among the businesses and individuals in the Northern Ireland construction industry. The principal way we do this is through our Annual Grants Scheme which offers grants to support a wide range of training and qualifications, from apprentices through to the existing workforce including management and administration. The grant support also covers a wide range of short duration training courses eg. IT, first aid, business courses and site safety courses. Please contact a member of our grants team if you require any further information or check out the list of courses listed on our Training Directory. CITB NI continues to work with employers, employer bodies, employee representatives and the education sector to identify training needs and solutions that provide the sector with training and qualifications that will enable the industry to improve efficiency and competitiveness during a very difficult economic climate. CITB NI supports the industry to develop and deliver a culture of training & development by interventions in the following areas; The Grant scheme for 2014 2015 is in three Tiers to allow CITB NI to provide flexible and responsive support to the industry. The tiers are as noted below; TIER 1 DIRECT GRANTS TO EMPLOYERS - Grants for Apprentices/Undergraduates - Grants for all employees - Grants to Support & Develop your Business TIER 2 INDUSTRY SUPPORT Training in partnership with industry bodies TIER 3 FACILITATED TRAINING Training facilitated or delivered by CITB-ConstructionSkills NI: (e.g. Mobile Training Unit & Scaffolding) 2
Tier 1 Direct Grants to Employers Important Grant will only be paid to employers who submit an actual completed Annual return form. Grants will be held until 28 August 2015 to allow actual emoluments to be returned. Grant will be declined after this date if not returned. A. Qualifying New Entrants Apprentices are important to our industry; during these tough economic times it is vital that valuable skills and talent are not lost and that new entrants are given an opportunity to join the construction sector. Grants are available for employed apprentices registered onto recognised apprenticeship programmes who achieve their qualifications from 1 September 2014. Grant is also available to employers who make use of the Undergraduate Development Programme. B. Qualifying the Existing Workforce Grants are available for short duration training courses, including CLAIT, ECDL, first aid, NVQ achievement, management and professional development. To support plant operators, demolition plant and piling, grants are available both for operators who require training on a category of plant, and for experienced operators who demonstrate their competence and achieve a recognised qualification. Please contact a member of the grants team if you require any further confirmation of the types of courses that are covered through our grant scheme. C. Improving Business Performance While training individuals in your workplace is essential, it is important to bear in mind how you can improve your business as a whole, develop skills in your team and improve efficiency during these difficult times. CITB NI recognise this and provides support for training aimed at improving business performance. In addition to this grant we support business improvement in the industry through our Tier 2 Grant see page 10 for details. D. Maximise your Grant Return Maximise your grant return by submitting your 2014 annual return form on line by 29 August 2014, claiming grant on line and paying your levy electronically ie by Direct Debit or BACS. Please refer to page 8 for further details. A member of the Grants team will be happy to talk you through this process tel 028 9082 5466. 3
Grant applications must be received by CITB NI within 3 months of attending training, otherwise grant will be declined. We encourage claims to be made even if all the supporting information is not available at the time of application. For further information on how to apply on line please contact a member of the Grants Team on 028 9082 5466 Tier 1 Direct Grants to Employers A. Apprenticeships GRANT PAYABLE FOR AMOUNT HOW TO CLAIM NVQ Level 2 Achievement NVQ Level 3 Achievement Award of Modern Apprenticeship Certificate Achievement of the Modern Apprenticeship Certificate issued by DEL 1000 Complete a claim form (on line or hard copy) and submit a copy of the NVQ certificate 1500 and evidence that the apprentice has been employed for at least 12 months 500 Complete a claim form (on line or hard copy) and submit a copy of the Modern Apprenticeship Certificate issued to apprentices by the Department for Employment & Learning (DEL) Registration Scheme Cards Achievement of a Blue or Gold recognised affiliated UK registration scheme card 25 Complete a claim form (on line or hard copy) and submit proof that the card has been issued by the Scheme owner Where CITB NI has direct and approved access to information this may be used to verify and pay grant. Total Grant payable for an apprentice for 3/4 years 3050* **If you apply on line for your grant you will receive a 2½% uplift 76.25 totalling - 3126.25 **If you apply online for your grant and pay your levy by Direct Debit or BACS this would increase the original grant claim by 152.50 (5%) totalling = 3202.50 (* calculation based on completion of NVQ Level 2, NVQ Level 3, Blue card, Gold Card and Modern Apprenticeship Certificate) (** refer to full terms of uplift on page 8) GRANT PAYABLE FOR AMOUNT HOW TO CLAIM Undergraduate Development Programme Employers receive grant for placing an Undergraduate on the CITB NI, Undergraduate Development Programme which we deliver free of charge 1000 Grant processed automatically to employer once the undergraduate has completed the 10-day programme 4
Grant applications must be received by CITB NI within 3 months of attending training, otherwise grant will be declined. We encourage claims to be made even if all the supporting information is not available at the time of application. For further information on how to apply on line please contact a member of the Grants Team on 028 9082 5466 B. Qualifying the Existing Workforce Short Duration Training GRANT PAYABLE FOR AMOUNT HOW TO CLAIM Off the job Training Attendance and completion of off the job training including IT, accounts, health and safety courses, plant and scaffolding courses. Courses must be based on national occupational standards Training courses may be delivered by public education establishments or training providers 60 per day for a maximum 10 days per course, corresponding half day rates apply Grant of 75% of net cost will be paid for training which costs less or equal to the daily Grant rate. Complete a claim form (on line or hard copy) and submit proof of attendance and a copy of paid invoice In-House Training Attendance and completion of in-house training based on national occupational standards 30 per day for a maximum of 10 days per course, corresponding half day rates apply Complete a claim form (on line or hard copy) and submit proof of attendance Training courses delivered by employers and may be held externally or in-house Language Interpreting Grant available for those whose first language is not English or for language assistance for those with hearing/speech disability 75% of net cost to a maximum of 100 per day Complete a claim form (on line or hard copy) and submit proof of attendance and a copy of paid invoice 5
Grant applications must be received by CITB NI within 3 months of attending training, otherwise grant will be declined. We encourage claims to be made even if all the supporting information is not available at the time of application. For further information on how to apply on line please contact a member of the Grants Team on 028 9082 5466 Carding your team Grants are available for individuals who achieve an initial registration card. A separate grant is available for health & safety training, so you can still apply for health and safety courses attended even if you are renewing or upgrading your team s cards. GRANT PAYABLE FOR AMOUNT HOW TO CLAIM Industry Registration Scheme cards Achievement of an initial recognised CSCS UK affiliated scheme card 25 (white, green, blue & gold 50 (platinum or black) Complete a claim form (on line or hard copy) and submit proof that the card has been issued by the scheme owner Where CITB NI has direct and approved access to information this may be used to verify and pay grant. National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Achievement GRANT PAYABLE FOR AMOUNT HOW TO CLAIM NVQ Achievement NVQ Level 2 NVQ Level 3 NVQ Level 4 NVQ Level 5 500 750 1,000 1,250 Complete a claim form (on line or hard copy) and submit a copy of the NVQ certificate and a copy of paid invoice. Grant payable on achievement includes any workshops/experienced workers assessment which leads to the overall achievement of the award by existing employees of a vocational qualification directly related to the business. Should the amount of grant exceed or equal the net cost grant will be paid at a rate of 75% of the actual net cost of the award. Achievement of Individual Units or Cluster Units up to a maximum of 5 per person Additional Plant Categories up to a maximum of 4 additional categories of plant per person 100 per Unit accreditation Complete a claim form (on line or hard copy) and submit a copy of the unit award 130 per category Complete a claim form (on line or hard copy) and submit evidence that additional categories have been certified and a copy of paid invoice 6
Grant applications must be received by CITB NI within 3 months of attending training, otherwise grant will be declined. We encourage claims to be made even if all the supporting information is not available at the time of application. For further information on how to apply on line please contact a member of the Grants Team on 028 9082 5466 Technical, Management and Professional Development GRANT PAYABLE FOR AMOUNT HOW TO CLAIM Technical, Management and Professional Qualifications Achievement of HNC/HND, Degree, Masters, Professional Body or Awarding Organisation Certificate and Diploma through part-time study Course and provider must be accredited by an appropriate recognised body 75% of net cost up to a maximum of 1,500 in the educational year 2014/2015 Complete an annual claim form (online or hard copy) and submit a copy of paid invoice and qualification certificate or proof of successful completion of each year, where a course spans more than one educational year Becoming a Trainer or Assessor GRANT PAYABLE FOR AMOUNT NVQ Achievement Level 3 Learning & Development Level 4 Learning & Development 750 1000 HOW TO CLAIM Complete a claim form (on line or hard copy) and submit a copy of the NVQ certificate and a copy of paid invoice. Grant payable on achievement includes any workshops/ experienced workers assessment which leads to the overall achievement of the award by existing employees of a vocational qualification directly related to the business. Should the amount of grant exceed or equal the net cost grant will be paid at a rate of 75% of the actual net cost of the award. Assessor & Internal Verifier Awards Achievement of learning and development qualifications 500 achievement of 3 units 300 achievement of 2 units 150 achievement of 1 unit Complete a claim form (on line or hard copy) and submit a copy of the unit award. Grant payable on achievement includes any workshops/ experienced workers assessment which leads to the overall achievement of the award by existing employees of a vocational qualification directly related to the business. Should the amount of grant exceed or equal the net cost grant will be paid at a rate of 75% of the actual net cost of the award. 7
Grant applications must be received by CITB NI within 3 months of attending training, otherwise grant will be declined. We encourage claims to be made even if all the supporting information is not available at the time of application. For further information on how to apply on line please contact a member of the Grants Team on 028 9082 5466 C. Business Improvement Support to develop your whole business GRANT PAYABLE FOR Certification on 3rd Party Management Systems and Investor in People Achievement of initial recognised schemes including IIP, Health and Safety, Quality, Environmental and Reneweable Energy Schemes AMOUNT 500 HOW TO CLAIM Complete a claim form (on line or hard copy) and submit proof of initial certification Certification must be accredited by an appropriate recognised body D. Maximise your Grant Return Through our website www.citbni.org.uk you have the facility to claim your grant on line. This process makes it more effective for both your organisation and ours. We wish to reward all employers by increasing grant payment for those who: Claim Grants on line - 2.5% Claim by post and Pay levy by Direct Debit or BACS * - 1.5% Claim Grants on line and pay levy by Direct Debit or BACS * - 4% Complete your annual return on line by 29 August 2014-1.5% Log onto www.citbni.org.uk/grants today and click the apply now button to start your online grant claim application. For details of your username and password please contact a member of the Grants Team on 028 9082 5466. Don t delay, claim today. * Direct Debit and BACS payments to be made within specified time limit (30 days) in order to be eligible for bonus grant uplift 8
Tier 1 Essential Information Summary of Terms and Conditions 1. For a grant to be paid under the 2014/2015 grant scheme, the employer must be in-scope (as defined by Schedule 1 of the Industrial Training Board Order 1964) and be registered with CITB NI. The trainee/employee must have worked or be working in NI during the training year. 2. All registered in-scope employers below the levy threshold of 80,000 are eligible to claim grant during 2014/2015 scheme period (1 September 2014 and 28 August 2015). 3. Grant will only be paid to employers who submit an actual completed annual return form. Grants will be held until 28 August 2015 to allow actual emoluments to be returned. Grant will be declined after this date if not returned. 4. All training for which grant is claimed must relate to an employee s present or future work in the Northern Ireland construction industry. 5. We reserve the right to request evidence of employment for those employees for which grant is being claimed. 6. Grants are paid for training attended and qualifications achieved unless otherwise stated. 7. The grant level published in the 2014/2015 grant scheme is in relation to training and/or achievement between 1 September 2014 and 31 August 2015. 8. Two Easy ways to apply on line at www.citbni.org.uk or in hard copy format by using form GAF1415, which is available from our website or by request to CITB NI. Any supporting information available at the time of the application can be scanned and emailed, posted or faxed 028 9082 5693, with the Grant Application Form. Employers may ask their training provider to apply for grant on their behalf to CITB NI. This is a summary of the terms and conditions which apply to grant claims. Full details setting out any specific conditions which must be met before individual grants can be paid are available at www.citbni.org.uk/grants or by request from the GrantsTeam on 028 9082 5466 9
Tier 2 Industry Support Tier 2 Grant is directed at industry federations and/or representative bodies only. This grant is designed to directly fund training delivered to employers at little or no cost to encourage the up take of strategically important training. Federations and/or representative bodies will be required to carry out research into the needs of their sector and identify the skills and training interventions for the sector they represent, and the wider Northern Ireland construction industry. Once approved the federations and/or representative bodies will be required to procure the training provision in a transparent and equitable manner and ensure the courses delivered are of direct and material benefit. The purpose of this grant is to fund training which may not be commercially viable or to improve performance of the industry in relation to future needs. Examples of Tier 2 interventions supported by CITB NI in previous years included; Development of Pre-Qualification Questionnaires Training and guidance on completing Pre-Qualification Questionnaires. Courses tailored for small to medium contractors to help compete for business. Performance Improvement Programme Basic and Intermediate Estimating Leadership & Management NVQ Level 5 Aimed at developing strategic skills within the industry to help employers survive the downturn. A series of workshops designed to provide either a basic understanding of construction estimating or a more advanced programme covering the subject from first principals to using electronic estimating systems. Training and assessment based around of series of workshops and mentoring sessions. Designed to improve an organisations people, business and performance. Applications for Tier 2 funding will be sought through invitation by CITB NI only. Calls for proposals will be issued to industry federations and representative bodies at the appropriate times. Employers receiving training under Tier 2 programmes will not be eligible for Tier 1 grants. 10
Tier 3 Facilitated Training Tier 3 Grant is designed to help deliver industry needs where training is not viable or available in Northern Ireland. Training needs will be identified through research and development along with industry feedback. The identified training will be procured by CITB NI in line with their procurement policies and delivered to the industry. Methods of identification of training needs under Tier 3 will include; Feedback from CITB NI Employer Information Events (held throughout the training year) Demand expressed by employers on their levy returns, direct contact or via email and the web site Discussions with employer bodies Discussions with client bodies on future skills needs Regular industry wide surveys on current training needs Employers will be notified of programmes identified under Tier 3 through the CITB NI web site, seminars, email, text and postal communications to the industry and through our industry partners. Tier 3 Grant is also used to deliver the following at no cost to registered employers; Undergraduate Development Programme The Undergraduate Development Programme (UDP) assists students undertaking full-time or part-time Degree, HND or Foundation Degree courses relating to construction and the built environment. The aim of the programme is to develop the skills that employers are seeking in graduate level students entering today s construction industry. The programme is provided free of charge to registered employers who provide a placement for students during their allocated work experience module. The programme contains ten days training across four separate but complementary elements. Firstly a two day health & safety course, one day of which leads to the issue of a Construction Skills Register (CSR) Trainee Supervisor/Manager Card is then followed by a further eight days covering team building, core management and craft awareness. 11
Mobile Training Unit The Mobile Training Unit (MTU) provides a convenient way of meeting training needs with minimum disruption to site work. The unit will travel across the Province delivering a wide range of short duration courses such as confined spaces, excavations, manual handling and working at heights in order to encourage the industry to build safely. The self-contained MTU has a specialised classroom facility that seats twenty individuals and is equipped with all the latest presentation media in order to create the best environment for training in comfortable and pleasant surroundings. For further details on course programmes and availability please telephone 07801 598520. 12
FREE Construction Employer Events during 2014/2015 For more information on the 2014/2015 Grant Scheme and to find out about all of CITB NI s products and services, come along to one of the FREE Construction Employer Events, as listed below: Town Date Venue Lisburn 25 Sept 2014 Lisburn Enterprise Centre, Enterprise Crescent Enniskillen 26 Feb 2015 Fermanagh Enterprise Centre, Tempo Road Craigavon 19 Mar 2015 CIDO Innovation Centre, Charlestown Road Omagh 23 April 2015 Omagh Enterprise Centre, Great Northern Road Newry 19 May 2015 Mourne Country Hotel, Belfast Road Derry/Londonderry 18 June 2015 Waterfoot Hotel, Caw Roundabout, Clooney Road These events are short, informal and have been designed to help you the construction employer, get what you re entitled to. All events will commence at 10.00am with registration, tea/coffee and a light breakfast and will conclude at 11.30am. Event Programme Grants - what is available to you and how to claim Levy - how the money is spent and how it is returned to you Training courses and information on the facilities at Nutts Corner Training Centre Mobile Training Unit (MTU) latest information on courses available and how to book Other available funding opportunities or initiatives available to Northern Ireland construction employers Register now by email: events@citbni.org.uk or telephone 028 9082 5466 Health and Safety Works NI (HSWNI) is holding a series of four workshops which will explain how to prepare a method statement and a construction health and safety plan. The workshops are aimed at owners or safety officers of small construction companies and will make use of templates and worked examples providing delegates with an opportunity to write a method statement themselves: Town Date Venue FREE Construction Heath & Safety Workshops for building contractors Armagh 16 Oct 2014 Armagh Business Centre, Loughgall Road Newtownards 6 Nov 2014 Ards Business Centre, Jubilee Road Coleraine 20 Nov 2014 Causeway Enterprise Agency, Loughanhill Ind. Estate Belfast 14 Jan 2015 Ormeau Business Park, Cromac Avenue Crumlin 24 Mar 2015 CITB NI, Nutts Corner Training Centre, Dundrod Road, Crumlin All events will commence at 10.00am with registration, tea/coffee and refreshments and will conclude at 12.30pm. For more information about these workshops and to register, please go to HSWNI s website: www.healthandsafetyworksni.gov.uk/events 13
For further information contact: CITB NI Nutts Corner Training Centre 17 Dundrod Road Crumlin BT29 4SR Tel: 028 9082 5466 Fax: 028 9082 5693 Email: grants@citbni.org.uk www.citbni.org.uk CITB, CIC and CITB NI are working as ConstructionSkills, the Sector Skills Council for Construction