DTI Grants and Support Directory

The Department for Trade and Industry offer a business tool that allows you to identify the most applicable funding and support sources for your business. This service covers the entire UK and is offered through the BusinessLink Service.

Employment Grant Scheme

This scheme offers employers the opportunity to obtain a grant towards the salary costs of taking on new employees. Jobs must be in addition to existing staff and be permanent positions. A grant is available for up to 26 weeks with the maximum contribution based on a gross wage of £317 per 40 hour week. The scheme is administered by Highland Council and is available in the six LEC regions covered by the Highland Council.

ILA Scotland

ILA Scotland is a Scottish Executive scheme that will help you pay for learning you want to do. It’s available for anyone aged 18 or over and living in Scotland. If you earn more than £15,000 a year you can now apply for an ILA Scotland account. With an individual learning account you will be able to claim up to £100 a year to put towards a range of courses to build your computer skills. And if you earn £15,000 a year or less, you can still apply for an individual learning account that will give you up to £200 a year towards learning something new. For further information call the ILA Scotland helpline free on 0808 100 1090.

Modern Apprenticeships

A Modern Apprenticeship is based on a full time job and a real wage. The apprenticeship ensures high quality on-the-job training to recognised national standards.

Traditionally associated with crafts and trades such as engineering, construction and vehicle maintenance, apprenticeships are now available in a wide range of areas including Accountancy, Administration, Food and Drink, IT, Sport and Recreation, Caring and Travel Services.

The duration on a Modern Apprenticeship can vary from one to four years.

To view a two-page summary of the content of each Scottish Modern Apprenticeship framework document take a look at the MASCOT website.

For further information contact your Local Enterprise Company.

Scottish Executive - Helping you meet the costs of learning

"Helping you meet the costs of learning" is a Scottish Executive publication which gives an overview of the funding available for learners or potential learners and is a useful guide to practitioners giving advice to others

Skillseekers

This is a practical way to make the most of young people's potential, through structured training aimed at equipping them to do a job. Skillseekers training is geared towards the achievement of Vocational Qualifications at Level2, and SCQF Level 5.

A VQ provides evidence that the young person has acquired the skills and knowledge to perform the fundamental elements of a job. This makes them more valuable in today's increasingly competitive labour market.

Skillseekers is immensely varied in scope and offers young people a useful way into almost any vocation-based career, whether they are interested in office work or bricklaying, hotel work or engineering, retailing or fishing. The 'Get Ready for Work' programme has been developed as part of the Skillseekers programme and is an individually tailored training option for young people who without additional support, are unable to access other training, learning or employment opportunities.

Funding may be available from your LEC. Most young people are employed and complete their qualifications in 18 months to 4 years depending on the level of qualification attempted.

For further information contact your Local Enterprise Company.