Funding
Sources of funding for training courses are often complex and are constantly changing, especially with the recent budget cuts.
If you are considering taking a course with us, please read the following page carefully, and if in any doubt, please ring us and we may be able to find a source of funding to make your training cheaper for you.
Focus on Forestry First
Focus on Forestry First is for Sole Traders, self employed contractors and small businesses connected with trees and timber who reside and work in Wales. Once registered through the project businesses can have training plans drawn up free of charge, access up to 100% funding for knowledge transfer training and up to 75% for skill training, maintain and access training records through the secure project database.
There is a one off registration fee starting at £75 depending on the number of employees.
To register please contact Environment Skills Training 0800 118 55 11 with your details and we will then register you on the scheme. You will then be contacted by an advisor who will help you draft your training plan.
Farming Connect – Skills Development Programme
Farming Connect is an integrated, high profile, Wales wide service for farming families. It is funded through the Rural Development Plan financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Assembly Government.
Farming Connect consists of many programmes which are either partially or fully funded.
The Skills Development Programme provides funding of 80% of Training Course Costs. This funding is available for the Farm Owner, members of their immediate family and employees on their payroll.
To apply for Farming connect (previously registered Farmers will need to re-register) the land owner contacts 08456 000 813 (please have your holding numbers with you) and completes a registration form over the telephone. Farming Connect will then assess your registration and will write to you informing you of the services you are eligible to use. If you are eligible for the Skills Development Programme you will then have to request an application form. Once you receive the Skills Development Programme Application form please contact us on 0800 118 55 11 to discuss your training requirements and we will help you complete the Skills Development Programme Application Form. When you have received confirmation of your application we will then be able to book you on a course. You will need to pay for the course in full and then you send your certificate and signed invoice to Farming Connect and they will reimburse you with 80% of the training cost. Farming connect do not pay the VAT you can claim this back through your own VAT return.
ILA Wales
Environment Skills Training is now registered to accept ILA Wales vouchers.
If you or your partner are claiming any of these benefits:- Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance (IB), Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit or Working Tax Credit you could receive £200 towards a training course.
If you or your partner are not claiming any of the above benefits you could receive £100 towards a training course as long as you do not have any formal qualifications or your qualifications are no higher than GCSE, GNVQ Intermediate level, NVQ level 1 or 2, GNVQ foundation level or BTEC first certificate.
To apply for an ILA Wales voucher please contact 0800 100 900 for an application form. When you have received your voucher please contact us with the voucher number and amount and we will be able to book you on a course and register your voucher.
Professional and Career Development Loans
If you require more substantial training or a series of training courses then a Professional and Career Development Loan may be the answer.
A PCDL is a bank loan you can use to help pay for work-related learning. You can borrow from £300 to £10,000 from a participating bank to help support your course. Like any loan you will need to repay the money you borrow but, the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) will pay the interest whilst you are learning and for up to one month afterwards. When you start to repay the loan to the bank the interest rates for repayments are set at a fixed competitive rate of interest, compared with most other personal loans. You can take out a PCDL to invest in learning that can improve your career and salary prospects – whether to protect your current career in times of job insecurity or to gain a qualification to improve your longer-term career prospects or re-skilling to start a new career.
To apply for an application pack or to get more information call the helpline on 0800 585 505 or visit www.direct.gov.uk/pcdl.
1) Check that you meet the basic eligibility criteria.
2) Contact Environment Skills Training to discuss your training requirements and costs.
3) Contact one of the participating banks to complete and submit your application form.
Lantra – Women and Work
Women and Work aims to redress the balance of women working in male dominated industries in the environmental and land based sector. A UK wide £450 Training Grant is available to women that are eligible for the scheme.
For more information please visit www.lantra.co.uk click on Funding, then Women and Work, then contact us – this will give you the contact telephone number for your area.
ReAct for Individuals
If you are in the process of being made redundant or have been made redundant in the last 6 months up to £2500 is available for re-training.
ReAct is an initiative in Wales but there are similar schemes all over the country.
Contact the Learning and Careers Advice service on 0800 100 900 or your nearest Careers Wales Office for further information or to apply for ReAct Funding.
ReAct for Employers
The Scheme can also help employers who are down sizing their business or recruiting staff.
There are two packages for taking someone on who has been made redundant.
Employer Recruitment Support funds employers who recruit individuals made redundant in the past six months. The award offers up to £2080 paid in four instalments as a contribution towards wage costs.
Employer Training Support is a separate discretionary fund of up to £1000 that an employer can put towards the cost of the new recruits job-related training.
ProAct for Employers
ProAct is a financial support package designed to help viable businesses cope with the downturn. It helps fund training during the quiet time to up skill staff in readiness for the upturn. ProAct provides training for employees who are on short time working and helps companies retain skilled staff that may otherwise be made redundant.
For more information please contact – Skills People Success Team 0845 6066 160.
Job Centre Plus
If you are currently receiving unemployment benefit, or are expecting to be using the Employment Service, they often have schemes that will offer funding for our courses. These are usually subject to individual negotiation between yourself and the Employment Service, but we are happy to discuss your training with them if necessary.
Call us on 0800 118 5511 for more details or CONTACT US through this page, for more advice.
If you would like more information on the services and courses we provide, please call one of our friendly team members on 0800 118 55 11, or email us on info@environmentskills.co.uk .
