Funding to support your training needs

The most important priority is to identify a training programme that fits your business needs and then look to identify a funding solution to support with the financial investment required. Unfortunately in so many cases training companies begin by identifying a funding route and then shoehorning in a training programme that meets the needs of the funding body and not the workforce. At Coleg Sir Gar and Coleg Ceredigion we will always start by identifying training that will have a positive impact on your business in order to ensure you receive the best return on investment, which in most cases is staff time!

Which funding is best?

Our team of Business Development Officers will discuss a range of options with you. In some cases Coleg Sir Gar and Coleg Ceredigion can process all of the required paperwork, however in some cases we may work in partnership with external funders such as the local council, Careers Wales, Remploy, DWP etc to find the best solution for you and your business. In all cases we will advise you on what options are available and what is required to ensure eligibility.

Will my training programme be free?

No training programme is free, in all cases someone will be paying for the training on your behalf. If it is not your organisation it will be an external partner such as Welsh Government or the EU. In some cases there may be funding to cover a significant percentage, or all of the fees associated with study of an entire qualification, however it is important to recognise that you must successfully complete the qualification in order to access the required financial support.

Funding Examples include:

• SFI, Skills For Industry, are able to funding upto 70% of the cost of a large number of qualifications that relate to the development of key industries in Wales. Unfortunately SFI Funding is only available in certain counties of Wales.
• Apprenticeships Funding covers 100% of the fees associated with a nationally recognised framework. It is important to acknowledge that they may be elements within a framework that may not be a priority for your organisation, however the entire framework must be completed within the agreed timeframe in order to claim the full financial support available.
• ReACT / Access funding of upto £1500 may be available to individuals who are currently unemployed, or being made redundant and are looking to gain key qualification(s) which are required to obtain successful employment within their chosen sector. As with other funding options it is essential that applicants accept funding is only released upon successful completion of their agreed learning plan.
• Self Funding is one of the most popular options, whilst it carries a direct financial cost to you or your organisation this option ensures you receive the exact training you require, at a time and place to suit your needs. Where you, or your organisation, are fully funding the delivery of your chosen delivery plan you can tailor the content to meet your exact needs, rather than the requirements of the funding body. Self Funding carries a huge indirect cost saving which is often forgotten, employee time! By developing your own bespoke training plan you can ensure your needs are addressed promptly, usually with a small number of training sessions in a timescale that suits you - keeping you in total control.

It should also be noted that all funding options are subject to application and are only available to fixed number of applicants per financial or academic year.

How can I find out more?

To discuss your training needs further please call 01970 639700 today or email business@ceredigion.ac.uk.

The Apprenticeship, Traineeship and Jobs Growth Wales Programmes, led by the Welsh Government, are supported by the European Social Fund.