Langhope Rig Wind Farm Education & Training Fund (Sub Fund A)

About this fund

This fund provides bursaries to residents of Ettrick & Yarrow, Lilliesleaf, Ashkirk & Midlem and Upper Teviotdale & Borthwick Water Community Council areas to help them access training and education opportunities that better equip them with the range of skills needed to enter or retain employment.

The fund is provided from Langhope Rig Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.

Purpose of this fund

The purpose of the Langhope Rig Wind Farm Education & Training Fund is to improve the opportunities and livelihoods of people living in Ettrick & Yarrow, Lilliesleaf, Ashkirk & Midlem and Upper Teviotdale & Borthwick Water, geographically defined by community council boundaries.

Courses leading to formal or recognised qualifications will be favoured, however other courses will also be considered where you can demonstrate how the skills and knowledge gained will realistically support you in securing or retaining a job. Undergraduate degrees and post graduate courses will only be funded in exceptional circumstances. Apprentices can also apply, provided it is for a cost you cannot claim back from your employer or another agency.

Courses supported can be on a full time or part time basis and may be:

• Apprenticeships
• Modern Apprenticeships
• Foundation Apprenticeships
• SVQs
• NCs
• HNCs
• HNDs
• short vocational courses

and many other courses.

Additional criteria

 

Awards can cover costs that are directly related to attending your course or apprenticeship, including:

• Course fees, where these costs cannot be waived or funded through any other means
• Study aids and equipment, e.g., laptops (up to a maximum grant of £500), software, stationery
• Technical aids/equipment, e.g., specialist clothing relating to the course, tools, and other specialist equipment.
• Travel and subsistence costs, e.g., bus or train costs, or petrol (at 45 pence per mile), meals, etc.
• Accommodation costs 
• Childcare costs to allow you to study
• Driving lessons and driving tests (to access education and training opportunities that are distant from your residence and where public transport is not viable; or where an ability to drive is expected to increase job opportunities). The maximum grant available is £500 for driving lessons and tests. Applications should be made once the applicant has successfully passed their driving theory test.

The maximum award is:

• First-time applicants: up to £1,500
• Second-time applicants: up to £1,000
• Any further applications: up to £300 per year.

If your course runs over several years, any award will be capped at the following:

• The first year of study: up to £1,500 
• The second year of study: up to £1,000 
• Any further year of study: up to £300 per year.

You must provide information on the full costs that you need to meet in relation to the course. For example, if you are a first-time applicant taking a week-long course that costs £400, you will only be able to apply for £400 plus related travel & subsistence. And if you receive funding from elsewhere, for example, £100 towards the course fees, you will only be able to apply for £300.

Study location

We recognise that the fund area has limited further education opportunities; however, any course being undertaken locally will be looked upon more favorably than a course that requires you to leave the area. By local, we would generally mean south and central Scotland.

If you are applying for costs linked with an apprenticeship arrangement, you must be employed within the fund area.

Who can apply?

The fund is open to individuals aged 16 or over and living in the Ettrick & Yarrow, Lilliesleaf, Ashkirk & Midlem or Upper Teviotdale & Borthwick Water Community Council areas.

The Education & Training Fund can also support individuals who live outwith the area of benefit depending on the circumstances. For example, someone who lives outside the area but works at a business within the area may be eligible for an award.

What can’t be funded?

You cannot apply for funding for any costs incurred before a decision can be made on your application (retrospective funding). The panel shall consider applications where the applicant has enrolled on an online course and paid for it to secure a place but has not yet started the course.

We will not fund training or equipment that your employer should be providing for you, or that is necessary for you to carry out your current job.

Apprentices cannot apply for any cost that can be claimed back from their employer or another source.

How are decisions made?

Foundation Scotland will review your application and may contact you for further information.  It is then passed to the Langhope Rig Wind Farm Sub Fund A Community Panel for decision.  The result will be sent to you by email.