Private Care Sector Workforce Initiative
Funding Initiatives to support Employers, Employees and young people
For all of the initiatives below see the Skills Development Scotland website: Click here
Or phone the national helpline at 0800 783 6000 0800 783 6000
5000 Flexible Training Opportunities
23 June 2010
Keith Brown, Minister for Skills and Lifelong Learning, yesterday launched 5000 Flexible Training Opportunities to help small businesses invest in learning and development for their employees.
Funding for employees to gain new skills
A high percentage of organisations delivering social services in Scotland can take advantage of funding for learning. Skills Development Scotland (SDS) have launched the Flexible Training Opportunities programme, to support learning for staff in small business (1-50 employees). Private and voluntary organisations can apply for up to £500* towards costs of training for up to 10 employees to gain skills in activities such as coaching, mentoring, and client specific skills including dementia or autism.
SDS will fund 50% of costs paid retrospectively for training completed in 90 days, with up to £500 per learner, and an overall maximum of £5,000 available per organisation to improve productivity and develop and confident, competent workforce.
*Conditions apply, to read about the programme rules and guidance visit:
To find out more about the programme and how to apply click here.
Please note that our understanding is that applications for places must be done through the helpline ( 0800 783 6000 0800 783 6000 ). Applications will also be dealt with on a first come, first served basis.
5,000 Extra Modern Apprenticeships
30 June 2010
In relation to this item, the Sector Skills Council for social services in Scotland is currently in discussion with Skills Development Scotland regarding whether the Health and Social Care SVQs are to be included in this new release of 5,000 extra MAs. We will update the website as soon as we know the answer.
The Scottish Government announcement of 10 June states that an extra 5,000 Modern Apprenticeship places have been created to help people of all ages enter into the job market and progress in work-focused training. Current economic conditions have seen accessible training opportunities become more crucial than ever and the Scottish Government, with support from the European Social Fund, has responded to this demand by improving the availability of schemes such as Modern Apprenticeship.
Skills Development Scotland will work with training providers and businesses to deliver the 5,000 apprenticeships, which have the potential to provide additional support to at least 500 employers across Scotland.
Damien Yeates, Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland said: "Modern Apprenticeships deliver key vocational skills needed by the Scottish economy. For many years businesses have benefited from motivated and capable trainees and it's very encouraging that yet more people and organisations will be able to make use of the additional places announced today."
Details of this process are available on the Skills Development Scotland website.
New Initiative for Employers and Young People
17 June 2010
A £6.5m package of support for young people and employers, backed by the European Social Fund, has been announced by Skills Minister Keith Brown.
The measures come amid an expected increase in the number of school and college leavers this summer.
Skills Development Scotland will lead on a campaign called 'Step Forward Scotland', which will help businesses support people aged 16-19 by offering the opportunity of a job, Modern Apprenticeship or work experience placement.
The initiative includes a new employer helpline - 0800 783 6000 - to support those employers helping launch a young person's career.
Mr Brown said: "Our young people are our future workforce. However, recession hits them the hardest. More young people than usual stayed on at school or started college last year meaning more will leave this summer.
"We need the public, private and voluntary sectors to step forward and help us to help young people become the future workforce and economic success we know they can be."
Damien Yeates, Chief Executive, Skills Development Scotland said: "Scotland's economy is showing a return to growth. Although this is positive news, economic recovery is fragile and there is a continued need to upgrade the Scottish skills base by supporting businesses and individuals.
"Step Forward Scotland, delivered by Skills Development Scotland, is a support package of incentives and offers available to employers to encourage recruitment of young people.
"We need employers to identify how they can help and, as part of this package, there is a new employer helpline to help them do this.”
