If you’re an employee or employer within the construction industry, then you may have heard of CITB’s Levy system. If so, you’re in the right place as in this week’s blog we’ll be discussing CITB’s levy system and everything you need to know about it.
What Is CITB Levy?
CITB is required to maintain a register of employers who are wholly or mainly engaged in construction industry activities. Once registered, your business is legally obliged to complete annual Levy Returns. You will be asked to provide details of your wage bill, in order for us to assess any levy liability.
What Is The Levy & Grant System?
The Levy and Grant system is created by CITB and is designed to ensure the British construction industry has the skilled workforce it needs. The Levy Return funds collected from employers are then invested back into the industry via training, helping organisations fund for the courses.
CITB offers a range of courses for those within the construction industry such as the Site Safety Plus Scheme which provides the building, civil engineering and allied industries with a range of courses for people seeking to develop skills in this area.
The courses are designed to give workers from roles of operative’s to senior manager’s, the skills needed to progress within the construction industry. CITB courses ensure delegates benefit from the best possible training with courses such as the one-day Health and Safety Awareness course to the five-day Site Management Safety Training Scheme.
How Does The CITB Levy Help & Support The Construction Industry?
CITB’s Levy system ensures the British construction industry has the skilled workforce it needs. The levy funds collected from employers are invested back into the industry through training. This helps drive up standards to ensure projects are completed safely, sustainably, on time and within budget. CITB’s Levy system provides a range of benefits for employers within the construction industry, as it means CITB Levy system can;
- Allow employers to continue investing in skills & training within the industry
- Provide grants to train new staff & develop the skills of their existing workforce
- Organise card schemes which are recognised industry-wide
- Offer high-quality apprenticeships, combining college learning with on-site experience
- Develop occupational standards & qualifications for construction
- Promote the construction industry, encouraging a diverse range of people to enter it
- Carry out research into industry trends & future skills requirements
- Influence government policy in relation to the construction industry
- Provide Company Advisors who work with employer groups to help businesses identify & meet their training needs
CITB’s levy and grant system continue to be strongly supported by employees within the construction industry who recognise its value.
Who Must Register With CITB
CITB is required to maintain a register of employers who are wholly or mainly engaged in construction industry activities. Those who register will find their business is legally obliged to complete the annual Levy Returns. You will be asked to provide details of your wage bill in order for CITB to assess any levy liability.
Levy Rates
You may be wondering what the Levy rates are. The Levy rate you pay is based on your total wage bill, which is the amount you pay your workers in a year. For the purposes of the Levy due in 2018, workers include employees paid through Pay As You Earn (PAYE) and the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) subcontractors who you deduct CIS tax from.
So what are the rates?
- 35% on PAYE
- 25% on CIS subcontractors who you deduct CIS tax from (the levy is not applied to CIS subcontractors who you don’t deduct CIS tax from)
Levy Return 2018
Each organisation’s 2018 Levy return will also be assessed on the above rates. You will receive your assessment for this Levy Return in spring 2019.
Exemption For Small Businesses
It is important for small businesses to note if your total wage bill (PAYE and NET CIS) is under £80,000 your organisation won’t have to pay the levy. This is known as the small business levy exemption
You must still complete a Levy Return even if you don’t need to pay the Levy as it is a statutory requirement.
Reduction For Small Businesses
If your total wage bill (PAYE and New CIS) is between £80,000 and £399,999 your organisation will get a 50% reduction on your levy, which is known as a the small business levy reduction.
What Is a CITB Approved Training Organisation (ATO)?
As of last year, CITB changed their approach to training across the construction industry. Part of this was the introduction of the Approved Training Organisations (ATO). In order for an organisation to become an Approved Training Organisation, providers must successfully complete the application process and be able to demonstrate they deliver training to a defined industry training standard. Here at Project Skills Solutions, we are proud to be an Approved Training Organisation.
How Do You Book Your CITB Course With The Levy System?
To book a CITB course via the Levy system with an Approved Training Organisation, there are a range of steps you’ll need to carry which includes;
- Booking your training with an ATO such as here at Project Skills Solutions, if you’re an employer or employee seeking to claim for a CITB grant
- Project Skills Solutions are required to upload delegate achievements to the Construction Training Register within 10 working days of successful completion of an eligible training course, to trigger your grant payment
- Your ATO such as Project Skills Solutions will require the following information which includes the delegate’s name, address, DOB, email address, NI number and levy number. This can be recorded at the time of the booking or by completing the paperwork at the start of the course
- Project Skills Solutions only offer selected CITB Site Safety Plus Courses which are eligible for CITB’s grant. However, if you’re seeking a course PSS does not offer, you will need to seek another Approved Training Provider who offers your desired course
What CITB Courses Are Available Via The CITB Levy?
CITB has determined which courses are eligible for grants and as a result offer a range of courses for delegates who work within the construction industry. The courses available via the Levy system are known as the Site Safety Plus Scheme, which provides the building, civil engineering and allied industries with a range of courses for delegates seeking to develop skills in this area. Below is a list of CITB’s health and safety courses we offer here at Project Skills Solutions, which are also eligible via CITB’s Levy system.
This blog has recently been updated, to read it click here.