• Important Notice
  • The Met Office have issued a yellow weather warning for ICE between 8pm on Fri 13 Feb 2026 and 10am on Sat 14 Feb 2026.
  • Accessibility Options
  •  

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council Logo

30/01/2026

Employee Upskilling Grant Fund – Applications Now Open

The Antrim and Newtownabbey Labour Market Partnership is inviting local micro, small, and medium-sized businesses to apply for the Employee Upskilling Grant Fund, offering grants of up to £10,000.

The fund supports training that helps existing employees progress into higher-paid roles, addressing skills gaps and creating new entry-level opportunities for residents. All funded training must be completed by 31 October 2026.

Funded by the Department for Communities, Labour Market Partnerships create targeted employment action plans for council areas, allowing for collaboration at local and regional level to support people towards and into work.

The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick, said: “This grant is a real opportunity for businesses to invest in their staff, grow their skills, and create new jobs for residents. I would encourage any business looking to develop their workforce to apply.”

Applications will close Monday 23 February 2026. Businesses can find full information on eligibility, guidance notes, FAQs, scoring criteria, and upcoming information sessions at antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/employee-upskilling-fund