New for 2021, the scheme now includes training interventions covering environmental sustainability and diversity and inclusion as standard.

Throughout the pandemic the scheme has supported 440 graduates from 23 companies, Funding for 220 of those new graduates started in 2020. Each individual receives £12,000 over three years to support leadership and management training.

Chris Claydon, chief executive of the ECITB, says: “The programme was created in response to calls from industry employers to mirror our support for apprentices with a fund to support graduate training. While graduates join industry with great academic credentials, they are still developing and this scheme helps to round off academic learning with the soft skills required by employers.

“By taking on new graduates, engineering construction employers are investing in the future of the industry and the ECITB is proud to support our employers in training them.”

In-scope employers can submit their graduate training schemes until 8 October; funding decisions in principle will be awarded by 31 October 2021.

For more information, visit: https://www.ecitb.org.uk