Funding for Skills
When it comes to investing in yourself or in your employees the cost is always a consideration. There is a range of funding that could be used to cover the cost of training or put a significant contribution towards the costs. The RHA Training Team in Scotland can advise on accessing funding which can be tailored to match the needs of each learner.
Some of the funding platforms that are available are:
Skills Development Scotland provides funding for qualifications in Scotland. There are 3 main routes:
- Modern Apprenticeships - The RHA delivers apprenticeships in freight logistics and business administration. Funding is available which can be used towards most of our training courses. Modern Apprenticeships enable your business to recruit new talent or upskill the existing workforce and provide an excellent way of introducing a structured learning pathway for driver upgrades, warehousing, and transport management.
- Apprenticeship Employer Grant – this grant is available to claim from January 2021 for apprentices starting from December 2020 and offers employers up to £5,000 towards the costing associated with taking on or upskilling a new apprentice. Brought in as part of the Scottish Governments support for business and young people the aim is to encourage businesses to take advantage of the apprenticeship scheme whilst recognising that the first few months of employment add to a business’s costs. More information can be found here. https://www.gov.scot/news/gbp-25-million-apprenticeship-support
Department for Work and Pensions provides many interventions that are aimed at helping individuals into work, one of these is the Kickstart Scheme:
- Kickstart provides funding to create new job placements for 16-to-24-year-olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long-term unemployment. Employers of all sizes can apply for funding. RHA Training are working hard with the DWP to facilitate an industry wide Kickstart Gateway which will match employers and potential new employees.
Funding benefits both the employer and its employees:
- Upskills your current workforce
- Staff will always receive a valid and recognised qualification for the industry
- Can be used to upgrade a vocational driver licence category
- Staff receive comprehensive training from industry experts and assessors
- Employers can save money by using funding to train new or existing employees
- Can be used to address the skills gap in your organisation