Launched by the Scottish Government in 2017 funded by contributions from the UK Apprenticeship Levy, the Flexible Workforce Development Fund (FWDF) offers employers up to £15,000 of funding per year to support workforce training and development.
Funding has been separated into two streams with funding available determined by the size of the organisation:
Levy Payers
- Each levy-paying employer can receive up to £15,000 of training value.
- Your organisation will pay the Apprenticeship Levy if it has an annual salary bill of >£3m.
- All levy-paying employers in Scotland across the private, public and third sectors are eligible to apply to the FWDF.
- Where training costs exceed £15,000 then the organisation can pay the balance in excess of that sum.
- Only one application per levy paying employer in the application period is allowed.
- The FWDF is separate from and does not impact any other existing Apprenticeship support.
- FWDF cannot be used for any training which legislation dictates the employer must provide, nor can it be used for category A or B driving lessons.
- An application to the fund can be made through the College and evidence of the organisation’s status as a Levy Payer in the form of an Employer Payment Summary (EPS), P32 or payroll report should accompany the application.
- Full guidance for Levy Payers for 2022/23 fund is available from SFC.
SME
- SMEs (any business with less than 250 employees) could be eligible for up to £5,000 of funded training.
- SMEs operating in Scotland across the private, public and third sectors are eligible to apply to the FWDF.
- Where training costs exceed £5,000 then the organisation can pay the balance in excess of that sum.
- Only one application per SME in the application period is allowed.
- Full guidance for SMEs for 2022/23 fund is available from SFC.
- SMEs should make an application to the fund and simultaneously provide evidence of legal status through one of the following:
- A business bank account
- VAT registration
- PAYE registration
- Companies House info (latest accounts, etc.)
- Registration for self-assessment tax return (HMRC)
Funding is allocated on a first come first served basis. An organisation who is an SME and also a levy payer may select which fund they apply to but cannot apply to both.
West College have worked with over 100 organisations to support application for funding and developing training packages based on the needs of the employer.
Contact us today to find out how West College can support your organisation through the FWDF by calling 0141 581 2121 or emailing us at corporate@wcs.ac.uk