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Employee Upskilling Fund

Antrim and Newtownabbey Labour Market Partnership (LMP), funded by the Department for Communities, is offering local businesses the opportunity to apply for a maximum grant of up to £5,000 to upskill existing employees to help ease some of the challenges being faced around sourcing appropriately skilled labour.

Download Guidance Notes Here

Aim of the Grant Fund

The funding is designed to upskill current employees, such as those who are underemployed (working 16 hours or less), at risk of redundancy or wanting to skill up and facilitate their transition into new or improved roles within the organisation, therefore open positions at entry level for unemployed residents.

Funding Available

Businesses can apply for a maximum grant of up to £5,000 for upskilling training directly aligned to a job promotion and career opportunity for employees.

Micro, small, and medium sized businesses can apply for the fund. Organisations who represent or support businesses can apply on behalf of a number of businesses.

Applications open Wednesday 27 August and the deadline for applications is Friday 12 September.

You can download the guidance notes here.

For more information, please E: skills@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk

This grant is offered as a Minimum Financial Assistance (MFA) subsidy under the Subsidy Control Act (2022). You are required to keep a written record of the amount of MFA you have received and the date when it was received for a minimum of three years.

Testimonial - Advanced NI Scaffolding

"I am writing to express our sincere gratitude for the support provided through the Upskilling Fund. The impact it has had on our company, Advanced NI Scaffolding, has been truly transformative.

"Since receiving the funding, we have been able to employ 6 additional roles implement a comprehensive training program that has significantly enhanced the skills of our workforce. This investment in upskilling has led to several key improvements within our organisation:

Increased Productivity: Our employees are now more proficient in their roles, leading to a noticeable increase in productivity. The enhanced skills have enabled us to complete projects more efficiently and to a higher standard.
Enhanced Safety: Safety is paramount in the scaffolding industry. The training funded by the Upskilling Fund has ensured that our team is up-to-date with the latest safety protocols and best practices, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring a safer working environment.
Employee Satisfaction: Investing in our employees' development has had a positive impact on morale and job satisfaction. Our team feels valued and appreciated, knowing that we are committed to their professional growth.
Competitive Advantage: The upskilling initiative has given us a competitive edge in the market. Our clients have noticed the improved quality of our work, leading to increased trust and more business opportunities.

"We are immensely grateful for the council’s support in making this possible. The Upskilling Fund has not only benefited our employees and our company but also contributed to the broader industry standards.

"We look forward to continuing our partnership and exploring further opportunities to enhance the skills of our workforce. Thank you once again for your invaluable support."

If your business would like to avail of Upskill Funding please E: Skills@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk.

Useful Contacts

Economic Development Team

Tel: 0300 123 4568

Email Economic Development Team

Business Name:
Address:
Postcode:
Contact Name:
Contact Position:
Email Address:
Telephone Number:
VAT Registered:	Yes No
Please provide a short description of your business:
Are you currently struggling to recruit and retain staff:	Yes No
Why do you need or what benefit will the training bring to your organisation:
Business Size:	Medium Small / Micro
Staff Headcount:
Turnover (Last Financial Year):
Balance Sheet Total (Last Financial Year):
Current Role of Potential Upskilled Trainee:
Potential New Role:
Current Employee Salary:
Potential Employee Salary after Training:
Training Required:	Please be as specific as possible when entering the type of training provided. For example, a warehouse operative undertakes Forklift driving and manages to secure a better paid position within the same company as a forklift driver. This potentially creates an opportunity for the company to recruit new warehouse staff.
Number of People:
Related Expenditure (Licence fee, medical etc.):
Unit Cost (Net):
Total Cost (Net):
Please note any additional information here:	Please provide quotations to skills@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk for training as outlined in our procurement guidelines.
Upload file:
Would you like registered on the Councils Economic Development Database:	Yes No
I confirm :	I confirm that the information given in this form and the attached documents are true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and no information has been deliberately withheld. I understand that any misleading statements whether intentional or accidental, given at any stage during the application process, or any material information knowingly withheld, could render my application invalid and may require repayment of any grant.
I confirm:	I confirm have read and understood the criteria for this grant.
I confirm:	I confirm that I will commit to upskilling at least one employee into a new and improved role and to raise their salary as per the criteria for funding
I confirm:	I confirm I have read and consent to the privacy notice included with this application.
Type Name to Sign:	Please note submission of this application does not guarantee an offer of funding.
Position Held:
Date:	FRAUD WARNING To knowingly or recklessly make a false statement to obtain aid for yourself or anyone else, will lead to disqualification, liability to refund of any aid already paid and possible prosecution. The information provided on this form may be made available to other Departments/Agencies for the purposes of preventing and detecting crime.

Employee Upskilling Fund

Aim of the Grant Fund

Funding Available

Testimonial - Advanced NI Scaffolding

Apply Now

Useful Contacts