Government to fund CSCS card costs for eligible learners from August 2026

From August 2026, the cost of a CSCS card application and the accompanying CITB Health, Safety and Environment test will be covered by government funding for eligible learners enrolled on qualifying construction courses in England. This is in addition to the announcement from the Department for Education made in November that they were expanding the free courses for jobs offer to support providers to deliver more construction training.

This follows an update made to the Adult Skills Fund this week that aims to make it easier for new entrants to take their first steps into the industry.

Under the updated rules published by the Department for Work and Pensions, training providers will be able to claim for a learner’s CSCS card application fee (normally £36) and their Health, Safety and Environment (HS&E) test as part of the Adult Skills Fund.

To be eligible, learners must be enrolled on a level 2 or level 3 qualification within building and construction (sector subject area 05.2) and meet the standard Adult Skills Fund eligibility criteria, which includes having earnings below £26,800.

The rules also confirm that where a qualification has an associated CSCS Alliance scheme card, that card can be funded under the same provision.

Training providers delivering construction qualifications will now have a mechanism to support learners through the card application process as part of their funded programme, which has the potential to increase the number of people entering the industry with the appropriate card already in place on completion of their course.

Those starting out in industry should begin their career on a red card – Apprentice, Trainee, Industry Placement or Provisional – and not necessarily on a Labourer card. The green Labourer card is only for those performing Labouring occupations and shows that the holder is not on a recognised training pathway.

To find the right card for you, download the My CSCS app and enter the title of the qualification you have, or are undertaking, and the app will confirm the appropriate card. Alternatively, use CSCS Card Finder.

Full details of the Adult Skills Fund funding rules for 2026–2027 are available on GOV.UK.