What support will I get?

CITB is committed to promoting equal opportunities for everyone. That is regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and beliefs, gender, sexual orientation or socio-economic background.

We live in a diverse society that is multicultural and multilingual, where everyone is different and has something different to bring to society and the workplace.

Construction is an industry which requires a variety of different skills and abilities. It is important that people from different backgrounds, life experiences and abilities are employed to enable us to achieve the high levels of skills needed.

Any information you provide is protected by law which makes sure we protect this information and deal with it responsibly. Your information will not be passed on to any employers without your permission.

Learner feedback gives apprentices the chance to provide feedback on the service they receive from their college or training provider.

Our New Entrant Support Team (NEST) advisers can support employers with feedback meetings with their apprentices.

Any observations, complaints or recommendations given by apprentices are taken seriously and help your employer, college or training provider to improve your apprenticeship experience.

Sometimes, it may be necessary for you to lodge away from home when you are training at college. Your employer and NEST adviser will be able to arrange this for you.

You can claim some travel costs from your employer for journeys to and from your college or training provider.

As an apprentice, you need to know that you're on track to achieve your career goals.

Regular reviews provide you with the chance to look at what's been going on in your training and will help you plan ahead.

The reviews look at what you've achieved and record how you are getting on with your training. They also plan what you should do before your next review and identify any support you might need to help you achieve your apprenticeship.

Your welfare should always be of paramount consideration and all apprentices have the right to equal protection from harm or abuse.

Safeguarding means:

• Valuing, listening, and respecting apprentices
• Having Safeguarding Guidelines and a Code of Conduct in place for staff
• Following Safer Recruitment guidelines
• Sharing information about concerns with agencies that need it, and involving learners and their parents/carers appropriately.

Apprentices should be:

• Provided with a safe learning environment, both in the workplace and at colleges or training providers.

Your apprenticeship is a mix of college-based learning, hands-on experience on site, and regular assessment in the workplace - all designed to help you gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence to succeed in the construction industry.

At college, you’ll work towards a nationally recognised qualification while developing your technical understanding of the trade. On site, you’ll build your experience by applying what you’ve learned in real working environments, supported by your employer and your college.

Throughout your apprenticeship, you’ll be assessed on your practical skills and knowledge by qualified assessors. These assessments take place in the workplace and are aligned to the Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) you’re working towards. Your progress is reviewed regularly to make sure you're on track and getting the support you need.

You’ll also be supported by a dedicated Apprenticeship Development Officer (ADO). They will work with you, your employer, and your college to carry out regular progress reviews, identify any areas where support may be needed, and help guide you through each stage of your apprenticeship journey.

If you have any additional learning needs, or require extra support, our team will work with you and your college to put the right arrangements in place — ensuring you have every opportunity to thrive.

CITB is committed to promoting equal opportunities for everyone. That is regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and beliefs, gender, sexual orientation or socio-economic background.

We live in a diverse society that is multicultural and multilingual, where everyone is different and has something different to bring to society and the workplace.

Construction is an industry which requires a variety of different skills and abilities. It is important that people from different backgrounds, life experiences and abilities are employed to enable us to achieve the high levels of skills needed.

Any information you provide is protected by law which makes sure we protect this information and deal with it responsibly. Your information will not be used in any recruitment or selection decision and it will not be passed on to any employers without your permission.

CITB will ensure that you are treated fairly, with dignity and respect throughout your apprenticeship.

CITB takes its responsibilities to apprentices very seriously and is committed to ensuring their safety at all times.

All employers of CITB Apprentices must comply with the requirements of current health and safety legislation and codes of practice.

Before you begin your apprenticeship, your ADO will conduct an extensive pre-placement vetting visit with your employer, to ensure they meet appropriate Health & safety standards. new copy

We will ask to see:

• Employers’ and public liability insurance
• A safety policy
• Risk assessments
• First aid procedures and accident book
• Provision of personal protective equipment - PPE (free of charge).

So that we’re certain you’ll be safe throughout your apprenticeship, your employer will also be required to:

• Provide you with a health and safety induction
• Carry out all necessary risk assessments to ensure all steps are taken to reduce the risk of anything untoward happening to you
• Have procedures in place to report any accidents to CITB.

All of this is important and helps to ensure your safety on site.

At various points throughout your learner journey, we will ask you to provide feedback on your experience of being a learner at CITB. Apprentice feedback is extremely valuable, it helps us understand any issues faced, allows us to make improvements and enhances the learner experience.

Any observations, complaints or recommendations given by apprentices are taken seriously, and help CITB, the colleges or training providers to improve the services provided.

Sometimes, it may be necessary for you to lodge away from home when you are training at college.

Your ADO will arrange this for you. To make sure you are safe, they will book you into CITB approved lodgings near to your college or training provider and pay for them.

As an apprentice, you need to know that you're on track to achieve your career goals.

Regular reviews provide you with the chance to look at what's been going on in your training, see how you are progressing and will help you plan ahead. Your ADO will carry out these reviews with you, your tutor and your employer.

The reviews look at what you've achieved and record how you are getting on with your training. They also plan what you should do before your next review and identify any support you might need to help you achieve your apprenticeship.

CITB recognises that your welfare is always of paramount consideration and all apprentices have the right to equal protection from harm or abuse. 

Safeguarding means:

• Valuing, listening, and respecting apprentices
• Having Safeguarding Guidelines and a Code of Conduct in place for staff
• Following Safer Recruitment guidelines
• Sharing information about concerns with agencies that need it, and involving learners and their parents/carers appropriately.

CITB makes every effort to ensure all apprentices are:

• Provided with a safe learning environment, both in the workplace and at colleges/training providers
• Involved in the continuous review and improvement of the services we provide.

Every apprentice has a designated Apprenticeship Development Officer who can provide support and signposting when required.

Once you have been placed with an employer and have a place booked with a college or training provider, you will take an online initial assessment to determine your individual needs.

Learning support

If you have learning difficulties, and have a current Statement of Special Educational Needs or Additional Learning Needs, support can be provided during the exercise.

Learners in Wales have to provide this evidence to the college / training provider.

Learners on CITB’s Specialist Trade Contract, (also known as Niche Contracts) will have to provide our New Entrant Support Team (NEST) with the relevant documentary evidence in order to receive the support required.

Key Skills/Essential Skills

Functional Skills, Key skills or Essential skills are an important part of an apprenticeship. If you want to improve your reading, writing or maths there will be plenty of help available at every stage of your learning journey.

CITB is committed to promoting equal opportunities for everyone. That is regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and beliefs, gender, sexual orientation or socio-economic background.

We live in a diverse society that is multicultural and multilingual, where everyone is different and has something different to bring to society and the workplace.

Construction is an industry which requires a variety of different skills and abilities. It is important that people from different backgrounds, life experiences and abilities are employed to enable us to achieve the high levels of skills needed.

Any information you provide is protected by law which makes sure we protect this information and deal with it responsibly. Your information will not be used in any recruitment or selection decision and it will not be passed on to any employers without your permission.

CITB will ensure that you are treated fairly, with dignity and respect throughout your apprenticeship.

CITB takes its responsibilities to apprentices very seriously and is committed to ensuring their safety at all times.

All employers of apprentices must comply with the requirements of current health and safety legislation and codes of practice.

Before you begin your apprenticeship, your college / training provider should conduct an extensive pre-placement health & safety check with your employer. This is to make sure that you are being placed with a company that will take your training and health and safety seriously. For learners on CITB’s Specialist Trade Contract, (also known as Niche Contracts) a NEST adviser will conduct pre-placement health & safety check.

The employer will be asked to evidence:

• Employers’ and public liability insurance
• A safety policy
• Risk assessments
• First aid procedures and accident book
• Provision of personal protective equipment - PPE (free of charge).

So that we’re certain you’ll be safe throughout your apprenticeship, your employer will also be required to:

• Provide you with a health and safety induction
• Carry out all necessary risk assessments to ensure all steps are taken to reduce the risk of anything untoward happening to you
• Have procedures in place to report any accidents to CITB.

All of this is important and helps to ensure your safety on site.

Learner feedback gives apprentices the chance to provide feedback on the service they receive from CITB and their college or training provider.

Apprentices on CITB’s Specialist Trade Contract (also known as Niche Contracts) can request confidential questionnaires at different stages of their programme to highlight any issues or problems they are facing. Our NEST advisers support employers with their apprentices

Any observations, complaints or recommendations given by apprentices are taken seriously and help CITB and the colleges or training providers, to improve the services provided.

Your college or training provider may conduct similar exercises.

Sometimes, it may be necessary for you to lodge away from home when you are training at college.

Your NEST adviser will arrange this for you. To make sure you are safe, they will only book you into CITB approved lodgings near to your college or training provider and pay for them.

You can also claim some travel costs from your employer for journeys to and from your college or training provider, CITB will pay expenses over £20 a day. You will be responsible for travel costs to and from your place of work though.

As an apprentice, you need to know that you're on track to achieve your career goals.

Regular reviews provide you with the chance to look at what's been going on in your training and will help you plan ahead. For learners on CITB’s Specialist Trade Contract, (also known as Niche Contracts) your NEST adviser will carry out these reviews with you, your tutor and your employer.

The reviews look at what you've achieved and record how you are getting on with your training. They also plan what you should do before your next review and identify any support you might need to help you achieve your apprenticeship.

Your college or training provider should carry out similar regular progress reviews with you.

Your welfare should always be of paramount consideration and all apprentices have the right to equal protection from harm or abuse.

Safeguarding means:

• Valuing, listening, and respecting apprentices
• Having Safeguarding Guidelines and a Code of Conduct in place for staff
• Following Safer Recruitment guidelines
• Sharing information about concerns with agencies that need it, and involving learners and their parents/carers appropriately.

CITB makes every effort to ensure CITB’s Specialist Trade Contract (also known as Niche Contract) apprentices are:

• Provided with a safe learning environment, both in the workplace and at colleges or training providers
• Involved in the continuous review and improvement of the services we provide.