Funding towards the cost of training and qualifications can be a lifeline for many companies and individuals. In this week’s blog we discuss the different types of funding for training and NVQs that is currently available. Make sure to get in contact with us if you feel this would support you or your business….

What Funding do ESS have available?

If you are looking for funding for training or NVQ courses / qualifications, then there are a variety of options available depending on your circumstances, or what you are looking to achieve.

Skills Support for the Workforce (SSW)

Co-Financed by European Social Fund and the Education & Skills Funding Agency

This is specifically developed for SME’s to help upskill their employees with funded NVQ qualifications. If you are an SME with less than 250 employees then this could really benefit your business. Essential Site Skills are part of Serco’s network of expert organisations chosen to deliver the SSW programme in the following locations;

• Black Country
• Cannock Chase
• Coventry and Warwickshire
• Derbyshire
• Greater Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
• Lichfield
• Nottinghamshire
• Tamworth & East Staffordshire

SSW is co-financed by the European Social Fund and the Education and Skills Funding Agency.

Get in touch with one of our expert advisors on 0115 8970 529 for more information, eligibility and locations we can support.

READ MORE ABOUT ESF FUNDING >

Adult Education Budget (AEB)

This funding is ideal for anyone aged 19 or over, looking to progress their career, find new job opportunities, or for those that are currently unemployed. ESS partner with careers services and job centres to support individuals into work. We have a wide range of fully funded adult courses such as Employability, Digital Skills, Hospitality and Catering, and the Level 1 Construction qualification to gain a CSCS Labourers card. Have a look through our full list of Adult Skills Courses currently available and get in contact to check your eligibility.

READ MORE ABOUT ADULT SKILLS FUNDING >

CITB Skills and Training Fund

For CITB Registered employers with 99 or less employees, the CITB Skills and Training Fund is an excellent opportunity to claim up to £10,000 for construction training. The fund makes up any shortfall in your normal CITB grant, so that the cost of your construction training or construction related NVQ is fully funded.

ESS offer a huge range of construction training and NVQ qualifications and will help guide you through the process keeping it simple for you to apply for the funding.

READ MORE ABOUT CITB SKILLS AND TRAINING FUND >

NCFE Fully Funded CACHE Qualifications

If you don’t have the time to complete a full diploma or apprenticeship, we offer fully funded NCFE CACHE workbook qualifications. You have 3 months to complete with the support of your allocated Assessor which involves a mixture of face-to-face and remote sessions, completing an online portfolio, or paper-based if required. You will receive a fully recognised qualification with CACHE, who joined NCFE in 2015.

ESS deliver a wide range of NCFE qualifications in Health and Social Care, including qualifications in Retail, Team Leading, Customer Service and Warehousing and Storage, read more information below about the range of courses on offer.

READ MORE ABOUT CACHE QUALIFICATIONS >

What is an NVQ?

An NVQ qualification, sometimes referred to as ‘NVQ courses’, recognises the skills and knowledge you need for your chosen job role, improving employability and transferability. Achieving an NVQ in your chosen industry helps you prove your competency in your desired career path. NVQ qualifications cover a huge range of subjects in almost every occupation within every business sector.

ESS offer over 150 NVQ qualifications at various levels;

• NVQ Level 2   

If you are looking to upgrade to your Blue CSCS Skilled Worker Card, or your Blue CPCS Competent Operator Card, then you will require an NVQ Level 2. Contact us to see if you are eligible to fully fund your qualification through one of the funding streams mentioned above.

• NVQ Level 3 / 4  

If your job requires you to hold a CSCS Gold Card, then achieving an NVQ Level 3 or even NVQ Level 4 will enable you to apply for a Gold CSCS Supervisors card, or an Advanced Craft Gold CSCS Card. In some instances, we can fund a Level 3 NVQ when you are progressing from a Level 2, and also offer the ELCAS option for ex-forces personnel, call us on 0115 8970 529 to find out more.

• NVQ Level 6 

For those requiring the CSCS Black Managers Card, then ESS offer a range of NVQ Level 6 Construction Site Management and NVQ Level 6 construction Contracting qualifications. We even offer the NVQ Level 7 in Construction Senior Management designed for those in the construction sector who oversee projections from inception to decommissioning, leading project delivery teams. If this is of interest, then our Client Advisors will be able to advise if you are eligible for any funding towards the cost.

CSCS Card Test Exemption Removed

Previously CSCS accepted the completion of a construction related NVQ qualification within the last 2 years as an exemption to taking the CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test. CSCS decided to end this exemption on the 2^nd September 2019, and now applicants will be required to pass the CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test regardless of when they obtained their NVQ.

Contact Us

We can’t always guarantee that you will be eligible for funding for your specific requirements, but with the amount of funding and grants available in the UK, it’s always worth checking with Essential Site Skills before you go ahead and book your training! We have a very experienced and friendly team who will advise you with the most current information in relation to grants and funding so you can make an informed decision, which will massively help your career progression or your business growth.

Contact Essential Site Skills today for more information – 0115 8970 529 – [email protected].