Training and Employment Support Grants

We can only consider you for a grant from this fund if you:

• are aged 16 to 30
• currently live in the counties of Somerset, North Somerset or BANES
• entering or are currently in training (for example a college course) or an apprenticeship, or starting work after a period of unemployment
• need some help with the cost of essential things for training or employment, an apprenticeship or starting a new job.

Applications for driving lessons will only be considered if driving is a job requirement and the application is linked to a specific employment opportunity.

If you meet all the above criteria, we would like to hear from you, regardless of your background or how well you did in education.

This fund is open all year round. Decisions are made every month, and you will be told if you have been successful or not within two months if sending us your application.

The deadline for applying for the monthly meeting is the 7^th of each month.

Sadly, we can’t provide funding to everyone that applies to us.

We have around £20,000 to give out from the fund this year. We’re usually able to support 2 out of every 3 applications we receive.

We’re more likely to give you some money if:

• you have a clear financial need, such as living in a low income household
• you are experiencing other challenges to accessing training and employment, such as having a disability.

Your application will be assessed by one of our team. They’ll read through what you have written and look at your supporting documents. We may contact you if we have any questions.

A recommendation will usually then be made, and a panel will make the final decision. The panel will include people from SWEF and from SCF.

The next step is to fill in our online application form.

This opens an application form, and you will receive an email link that allows you to return to the form before submitting. At the end of the form, you have the option to attach documents. You can use this to attach proof of Universal Credit, for example. You can request proof of Universal Credit through your journal on your online account or by contacting the benefit office that pays you.

You will also need to attach your business plan, 12-month sales forecast and 12-month cashflow forecast. Please let us know if you’re unable to provide these.

We may ask for further information, evidence to confirm the information within your application, or the contact details of a referee. A referee is a person who can tell us about your character or abilities and can confirm your circumstances. This might be a tutor, or someone who you have worked for. If we would like you to provide further information, evidence or a referee we will ask you.

Please contact us if you are unable to use the online form or can’t attach a document. We can support you to make your application in another way.

Sources of support

The following organisations may be able to help you with information and support around finding training or employment:

• Skill Up Somerset is an Apprenticeship and Skills Advisory Service, offering free, impartial advice and guidance.  They support both businesses and individuals with their Apprenticeship and Skills journey.  Perhaps you want to improve your current skills, or even learn new ones, or be introduced to local training provision they can help you.  You can find out more information on their website here. Contact them at Hello@skillupsomerset.org.uk
• SomersetWorks offers independent advice to help young people aged 15-18 who are not in school, college, training or work. For more information click here.
• Somerset Skills and Learning offers courses to gain qualifications, traineeships and apprenticeships for people aged 18 and over. For more information click here.