A total of 17 companies from the Forth Valley area attended a Breakfast Meeting event held at Forth Valley College’s Stirling Campus on Friday 24 August.
The event was held to provide information on how firms can access the Flexible Workforce Development Fund (FWDF), as it is thought as many as 700 companies in Forth Valley may be eligible to access up to £15,000 for training through the scheme.
Miles Lagan, FVC’s New Business Project Manager, said: “It was a really worthwhile session and we were delighted to provide those who attended with more information. Any other company who thinks they may be eligible should get in touch with us and find out more.”
Created by the Scottish Government in 2017 the fund has proved to be popular and with an extra £5,000 worth of training being offered this year, the programme is expected to be popular with businesses in the Forth Valley College area.
FWDF is open to applications from all organisations across the private, public and third sectors in the Forth Valley area who pay the UK Government’s Apprenticeship Levy if they pay more than £3million in salaries a year.
Those who meet this criteria, are eligible to apply for vocational and professional development training offered by Forth Valley College – their regional college – in areas such as people skills, human resources and digital skills.
Jennifer Tempany, Forth Valley College’s Director of Business Development, said: “There could be as much as £500,000 worth of funding available in the Forth Valley area and it is understood there are at least 700 firms who meet the criteria to apply.
“All they need to do is contact us here at Forth Valley College – their regional college – and we can help them in their application to claim the training grants, which could be up to a maximum of £15,000.
“It is an excellent opportunity for our local businesses to upskill their workforce in key areas and here at Forth Valley College they can be confident they will receive the best and most professional training possible to help their employees enhance their professional ability.”
The fund can be used as part-contribution towards training of a higher cost and employers may submit only one application to the fund within the application period. The application can be used for their staff or staff in their supply chain who are not eligible to access the fund in their own right.
To apply visit https://www.forthvalley.ac.uk/about-us/flexible-workforce-development-fund/ or contact Miles Lagan on Miles.lagan@forthvalley.ac.uk .