Funding

Welcome to our Funding section which has been developed to assist employers to find out more about the Government funding available across England. At the end of the section, you will find information specific to the Nations.

We have completed a review to see how much support is available through regional agencies that can be accessed by businesses to support the Process and Manufacturing Sector. The support is different in terms of amounts and structure, dependent on where you are based in the English Regions, what size company you work for, the qualification type and your age. On this web page you will find a summary of the programmes available and some guidance on how it can be accessed.

Joint Investment Programme

Proskills has been successful in establishing the Joint Investment Programme which enables employers to gain up to 50% funding across a range of level 3 and 4 qualifications. There is almost £3m available for employers to utilise to co-fund qualifications across a range of subjects delivered by a mix of training providers and colleges located all over England.

There are no eligibility restrictions in accessing the Joint Investment Programme only in that the learner must start before 30th November 2011 and complete their qualification before 31st July 2012.

For a full list of the qualifications funded under the Joint Investment Programme, click here

To find out more, click here

Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship funding is available via contracted training providers and colleges across England. The amount of funded contribution varies depending on which apprenticeship framework(s) you want to complete and the age of the learner(s). If the apprentice is aged 16–18, 100 per cent of the cost of the training will usually be funded; if they are 19+, up to 50 per cent of the training within the apprenticeship framework could be funded.

This is paid directly to the organisation that provides and supports the Apprenticeship; in most cases this will be a training provider or college. Large employers with 5000 employees or more can get a direct funding contract with the Skills Funding Agency so that they may receive the funding themselves.

To find out more information, visit the apprenticeship website at www.apprenticeship.org.uk or please contact your Proskills Regional Manager. Click here to see the list

Adult Skills Programme

The Train to Gain programme has now been replaced with the Adult Skills programme. As part of this, there remains a strong government commitment for everyone to achieve their first level 2 or first level 3 qualification and Skills for Life/Basic Skills (Numeracy and Literacy). This extends to ESOL and Entry Level courses.

First full Level 2 qualification (equivalent to 5 GCSEs – A to C grade)
For employees who don’t have a full Level 2 qualification or equivalent, the Adult Skills programme provides funding for their first Level 2 qualification. The funding for a first level 2 qualification is usually 100 per cent.

For the first time, those people who are unemployed and are on ‘active benefits’, can gain access to funded programmes for qualifications at level 2.

Where employees already have a level 2 or equivalent qualification; and if you are aged 19 to 24 years old and work for an employer with less than 249 employees there may be limited funding available allowing you to receive up to 50 per cent funding. This is a limited fund and may not be available from all training providers.

Early warning: From 1st August 2012 – funding for first level 2 qualifications for those over 24 years old will reduce to 50 per cent.

First Level 3 or first level 4 qualification (equivalent to A-level)
For employees with no level 2 qualification wanting to jump straight into their first level 3 or first level 4 qualification there is the potential to receive 100 per cent funding.

For the first time, those people who are unemployed and are on ‘active benefits’, can gain access to funded programmes for qualifications at levels 3 and 4.

For employees with a Level 2 qualification or equivalent, the Adult Skills programme cannot contribute towards the cost of a Level 3 or level 4 qualification.

Early warning: From 1st August 2012 – funding for first level 3 & 4 qualifications for those over 24 years old will reduce to 50%.

To view the full Adult Skills funding eligibility matrix valid from 1st August 2011 to 31st July 2012 click here.

To find out more information, please contact your Proskills Regional Manager. Click here to see the list

Management and Leadership

The government has set up a new Leadership and Management Advisory Service (LMAS) to help eligible employers identify and fund development opportunities for their senior leaders.

The aim of the service is to foster the leadership and management skills of senior staff so they can make full use of their workforce and accelerate the growth of their business.

To be eligible, your business must be in England and have:

  • two to 249 full-time equivalent employees
  • the potential for high or fast growth

If eligible, you will receive:

  • A free skills diagnostic from a skills adviser. This will identify the leadership and management development required by the nominated leader. This is so they can optimise the contribution of staff and grow the business. The adviser will then agree on a development plan with the leader.
  • A government grant of up to £1,000 for use on management and leadership development activity, such as any training agreed with the skills adviser. You will have to match-fund this grant – eg to receive a grant of £500 your business will have to contribute £500 of its own money.

To find out more information, please contact your Proskills Regional Manager. Click here to see the list

You can click here to download the leaflet to see the initiative done in the South East

Skills Accounts

A Skills Account will help you to take control of your learning and working life. You can use your Skills Account to get information on courses in your area and find out what funding may be available to support you as you learn.
What is a Skills Account?
Your Skills Account is there to help you progress with your learning, and find advice and support as you develop your skills.

You will be able to use it to:

  • help with choosing the right course
  • find out how much funding may be available to support you while you’re learning
  • make an appointment with a trained careers adviser
  • create an action plan based on your skills and abilities
  • share your achievements with others

Skills Accounts are available in England and you must be aged 19 or over to open a Skills Account. www.direct.org.uk

To find out more information, please contact your Proskills Regional Manager. Click here to see the list

Scotland

  • Scotland: Low Carbon Fund

The Scottish Government and Skills Development Scotland have committed to support and fund areas where new skills are required in the workforce to capitalise on the business and economic opportunities presented by developments in the renewables and low carbon fields. The Low Carbon Fund training intervention is to enable employers to upskill and reskill their employees. This new approach to the funding of employer training is to enable employers to access short, bite sized, flexible learning that will meet specific business needs.

To find out more about the project, click here
For more information contact us

  • Scotland: Flexible Training Opportunities

Flexible Training Opportunities gives businesses with under 150 employees the opportunity to apply for up to £5,000 towards employee training costs. Managed by Skills Development Scotland (SDS) and supported by the European Social Fund, it aims to help small businesses become more resilient and to boost productivity and success.

Funding is available for up to 10 employees per business and the money is not a loan so there’s no need to pay it back.

SDS will refund 50% of the cost of up to 10 training courses with a maximum value of £500 per course. And it’s flexible, so 10 employees can do one course each or one employee can do 10 courses, with any combination in between.

It effectively means businesses can double their training investment. Or it might help them introduce some training when they thought it wouldn’t be possible.

Businesses must register before 31st March and complete the training by 30th June 2011.

The application process is simple and the rewards can really make a difference. Many businesses have already taken advantage of the offer. Click here to find out more.

For more information please contact us

For advice, call free on 0800 783 6000.

Northern Ireland

  • ApprenticeshipsNI

ApprenticeshipsNI are fully funded by Department for Employment and Learning and are currently open to all ages of employees who are employed for a minimum of 21 hours per week.
On completion of full ApprenticeshipsNI frameworks employers are eligible for an incentive payment from £500 to £1,500.

There are many Apprenticeships available in Northern Ireland. Click here to see the list.

  • Customised Training Fund

Aimed at increasing skills of those in employment with flexible training being sourced to meet each employer’s needs.

Eligibility:

  • Companies with up to 250 employees based in N.Ireland
  • Invest NI clients up to 250 employees
  • Social Enterprises if they act like a business

Rates of Support:
Level 2 & 3, 1-50 Employees: Upskilling 100%, Reskilling 25%
Level 2 & 3, 51-250 Employees: Upskilling 25%, Reskilling 25%
Level 4-8, 1-50 Employees: Upskilling 50%, Reskilling 0%
Level 4-8, 51-250 Employees: Upskilling 25%, Reskilling 0%

  • Bridge to Employment

Offers recruitment advertising and pre-employment training, which can be based in-company, for those employers seeking to take on new staff. Employer incentives for taking on employing unemployed persons are also available.

Funding availability and eligibility criteria are subject to change – so please contact your NI Manager Diane Weatherup to check the latest information on 07795 011812 or email: diane.weatherup@proskills.co.uk