Firms can get up to £10,000

Application deadline is looming

Hundreds of Stirling area companies could miss out on around £500,000 in funding with a deadline for applications looming.

More than 700 companies in Forth Valley may be eligible to access up to £10,000 for training thanks to the Flexible Workforce Development Fund.

Created by the Scottish Government, the fund 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 the criteria are eligible to apply for vocational and professional development training offered by Forth Valley College in areas such as people skills, human resources and digital skills.

However, the clock is ticking to apply, as the Scottish Government have set a deadline of Friday December 15 for businesses to apply for funding.

Jennifer Tempany, FVC’s head 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 705 firms who meet the criteria to apply. All they need to do is contact us here at the college and we can help them in their application to claim the training grants, which could be up to a maximum of £10,000.

“It is an excellent opportunity for our businesses to upskill their workforce in key areas and here at FVC they can be confident they will receive the best and most professional training possible.”

FVC principal Dr Ken Thomson said: “FVC and others have been very successful in developing a very high standard of workbased skills training and providing industry with competent, professional and qualified employees, who can hit the ground running when they leave college. We recognise what our partners’ needs are and tailor our training to their exact specifications and requirements. We are sure the new Flexible Workforce Development Fund will help to enhance these partnerships and strengthen our links with business.

“This training initiative recognises the flexible approach of colleges and how we can react to change and evolve at pace to deliver courses that will benefit employees and employers alike. We are looking forward to welcoming professionals from business throughout Forth Valley over the next six months, who will be undertaking courses as a result of this fund.”

Contact FVC on 01324 403146 or visit www.forthvalley.ac.uk/ workforcefund.

There are at least 705 firms who meet the criteria to apply