Funding for training

The Skills Academy has a national network of Account Managers who are able to advise on national and local funding opportunities.

This is a complex area which is constantly changing. Here you will find an overview of the support that is available; this will vary in level according to learner eligibility and other criteria. To find out more information on the sector-specific opportunities that are available that meet your training and business needs please contact your Account Manager.

Joint Investment Programme (JIP) - 50% towards sector training costs

The Joint Investment Programme (JIP) offers a rare opportunity to access government support. From 01 August 2011 employers will be able to get 50 per cent towards a range of qualifications from smaller units and awards to full NVQs. The JIP programme is designed to support skills in areas key to economic recovery and future growth. In the current economic environment where funded training is very unusual, high demand is anticipated for bite-sized training such as:

• Units from Business Improvement Techniques
• New Cogent Resource Efficiency qualifications
• Smaller technical qualifications e.g. Certificate in Chemical and
• Pharmaceutical Based Process Operations
• ILM Awards in Business Awareness and Managing Operations
• 50 per cent funding for larger qualifications is also available
• Leadership and Management - SME offer (2 - 249 employees & high/fast growth potential)

A government grant of up to £1,000 is available 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 - e.g. to receive a grant of £500 your business will have to contribute £500 of its own money. An advisor from the new Leadership and Management Advisory Service (LMAS) will help eligible employers identify and fund development opportunities for their senior leader. For regional telephone numbers go to,

http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?itemId=1087604465&type=RESOURCES

Statutory entitlements

Skills for Life - literacy and numeracy continues to be funded up to Level 2. Inventive providers embed these programmes in other training courses eg manual handling, first aid, internet etc. Providers should be happy to discuss this with you.

ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages ) will cease to be funded from August 2011.

Level 2  - from August employees without a Level 2 qualification will still be entitled access to a free full Level 2 qualification. SME employees will be able to access co-funding (50%) if the contribution towards the Level 2 qualification is matched by the employer. Large employers cannot access funding for those aged 25+. Co-funding for units and smaller qualifications are only available through sector-based or unit trials programmes - see JIP below.

Level 3 - will only be funded if the candidate doesn't have a Level 2 qualification and is working at Level 3. There are no entitlements for additional Level 3 funding unless it is part of the JIP programme (see below). There will be no statutory funding at all for workplace Level 3s for the over 24s from August 2012; the government is proposing a loan system for all training above Level 3 (similar to university students) including Apprenticeships.

Apprenticeships  - continue to be co-funded but from 2013 will be funded through loans for those aged 24+. There is an expectation that the 50% employer contribution will be checked by the Skills Funding Agency from August 2011.