Please note the following information regarding applications:

  • All applications are considered individually and on their merit.
  • Consideration is given as to value for money of the training. Consideration is also given to any changes in national policy, steer from our Funders and overall direction of The Skills Enhancement Fund. It is therefore possible that only certain elements of an application may be considered eligible for support or that certain elements are rejected completely, particularly if the funding requested is to support activity where there is little or no direct training.
  • If support may be available through one of the commissioning specifications for the requested training, providers and employers will be signposted to them. Referral will take place once the specification is on The Skills Enhancement Fund website.
  • Applications must comply with the conditions set out in the guidance document otherwise they may be rejected on the grounds of non-compliance.

FAQs

What type of businesses are eligible for support?

All sizes and types of businesses can be supported, but there is a focus on the following sectors:

  • Agriculture, Horticulture & land based Industries
  • Childcare & Early Years
  • Engineering Manufacturing & Print
  • Construction & the Built Environment
  • Retail Services
  • Digital, ICT, Creative & Media
  • Health & Social Care
  • Hospitality, Tourism, Sport & Leisure
  • Ports, Logistics & Distribution
  • Voluntary, Community & Faith

Some commissioning specifications may specify a targeting of a specific sector or size of business.

How will the required contribution work in practice?

For the Single Business Application route, the employer is required to pay 100% to the provider and they are then reimbursed up to 50%* of the training costs.


For training supported through the Provider Route, employers need to pay up to 50% cash contribution towards direct training costs to the provider.


For Commissioned Activity, each specification will identify if a cash contribution is required and how that will be administered.

*Funding levels vary depending on the type and level of training undertaken.    For more specific information, please refer to the Guidance Notes available to download on each of the 'routes' pages.

 

Can higher level skills provision be supported?

Yes.  Funding for Higher Level Skills will be focussed on technical skills requirements of the New Industry New Jobs (NINJ) and economic growth sectors as follows:

  • Food & Drink
  • Low carbon industries
  • Environmental technologies
  • Specialist metals industries
  • Healthcare Technologies
  • Digital and new media
  • Advanced engineering and advanced manufacturing

Can larger amounts than the current maximum of £20,000 be awarded to an employer through SBA?

The maximum value of The Skills Enhancement Fund support for any one application is £20,000.

Is it one application per business under the SBA route?

No, a business can have more than application but applications are limited to one application per six month period.   This applies to applications received from 1st January 2010.

Are Micro, Freelance and Sole Traders eligible?

Yes

Is capital investment included in the funding?

Capital purchases will not be funded through The Skills Enhancement Fund.
Provider Routes and Commissioned activities will pay for some running costs of the project – but not capital.

Please clarify eligibility for 16-18 year olds

Employees aged 16+ can be supported but the employer must be willing to pay the funding contribution.

Is there a limit to how many courses can be funded for one individual - can someone do a short course as well as a level 4 etc?

No limit, more than one course can be funded.


If you have a specific question that has not been answered by anything that you have read on this website, then please email us at info@enhancementfund.co.uk and we will respond to you and update this page accordingly.