Funding support

Costs for every course are included in the course listings. In most instances a single course fee covers administration, examination [excluding re-sits, ] certification costs, access to the College’s Learning Resource Centres and certain resource costs for each year of study.*

They do not include any membership fees to professional bodies and any re-sits or must be paid by candidates.

* Some courses may incur extra costs for additional equipment e.g. hair, beauty and holistics courses. Any additional costs will be explained during interview and/or enrolment.

Group discounts are available. Please contact us to discuss how we can work with you to minimise the costs of the courses selected for groups of staff.

There is a range of funding mechanisms that you or your employee can access to reduce the costs of training. We can negotiate the costs of training with you dependent on the external funding that may be available.

Funding for employers
Work Based Training
Funded by the Welsh Government and all businesses in Wales are eligible. Offers the opportunity to learn new skills on the job. Training programmes include apprenticeships [usually at no cost] and a wide range of NVQs.

ELCAS - Enhanced Learning Credits
Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme (ELC) is an initiative of the Ministry of Defence to promote lifelong learning amongst members of the Armed Forces. It provides financial support in the form of a single up-front payment in each of a maximum of three separate financial years. ELC funding is only available for pursuit of higher level learning i.e. for courses that result in a nationally recognised qualification at Level 3 or above on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (England and Wales), a Level 6 or above on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) or, if pursued overseas, an approved international equivalent qualification.

GO Wales – Graduate and Development Fund
GO Wales can offer small to medium-sized businesses in Wales up to £5000 towards the cost of training staff members who have a degree, HND, HNC or equivalent. Each eligible employee can claim up to £1500. Go Wales is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and European Social Fund to help develop businesses in Wales. All training must be completed by September 2011. Terms and conditions apply - www.gowales.co.uk/training

Career Development Loan
Learners from a wide range of educational and employment backgrounds [employed, self employed and unemployed] are eligible. You can borrow anything between £300 and £8000 to help fund up to two years of learning and up to three years if the course includes one year of relevant practical work experience. The Learning Skills Council (LSC) pays the interest on your loan while you are learning and for one month after training finishes. You repay the loan to the bank over an agreed period at a fixed rate of interest.

Assembly Learning Grant
This grant supports people from low-income families to access further education. It is funded by the Welsh Government and paid through your Local Education Authority. The grant is intended to help cover the costs of books, equipment, travel and childcare while you are studying. To qualify:

• total family income must be less than £17,700 a year
• you must be aged 19 or over on the 1st September 2010
• the course you are studying must involve 275 hours of taught hours a year.

ReAct Funding
The ReAct programme is operated by the Welsh Government and is part-funded by the European Social Fund.

Funding for new recruits
Employer recruitment support is an incentive available to employers who recruit individuals made redundant in the past six months. Employers are awarded £3000 for employing someone for over 25 hours per week and £1500 for employing someone for between 16-25 hours per week.

Employer training support is also accessible alongside the Employer Recruitment Support. ReAct will pay 50% of the training cost up to a maximum of £1000 towards the cost of the new recruit’s job-related training. An application for support must be approved by ReAct before the prospective employee commences employment with the business. For more information on ReAct funding or to obtain an application form please contact the ReAct team on 01792 765888.

ReAct - Vocational Training
A contribution of up to £1500 is available towards the cost of carrying out vocational training courses linked to growth sector industries or if a job offer depends on achieving a particular course or certificate. ReAct can also offer extra support help with vocational training up to a cost of £200 which includes support for travel, childcare and accommodation if required whilst undertaking training.

An application for support must be approved by ReAct before you start your vocational training. For more information on ReAct funding or to obtain an application pack please contact Careers Wales or learndirect.

Updated September 2011