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Patna Education & Training Fund

Grant size Up to £1,500
Area
East Ayrshire
Key dates  
Application deadline: You can apply at any time.

About this fund

This fund is made available by the owners of the South Kyle Wind Farm to improve opportunities and livelihoods for people living in Patna.

The fund is in a pilot phase so this guidance may change in due course.

At the moment you can apply if your course is long-term (one year or more) or shorter (1 day or even less, or taught over a period of weeks or months).  If your course is long-term, the fund can currently only support you for one year.

The level of grant awarded will depend on the course you want to do and other funding available to you.

Depending on demand, the total amount awarded to one person may need to be restricted to about £1,500 per year. This is to help ensure a good spread of awards amongst many different people.

Purpose of this fund

The fund helps residents access training and education opportunities that better equip them with the range of skills needed to train, retrain or secure employment. It helps people to overcome financial barriers which might otherwise prevent them from starting, completing or participating fully in courses.

Who can apply?

Anyone living in Patna aged 16 or over with an offer for an education or training course can apply.  The course can be at college, university or with a reputable training provider.

What can’t be funded?

Costs that are already covered by school, college, the Council or other body.  We expect university and college students to have explored funding available from Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS - see 'Useful Links' below).

We won't fund training or equipment that your employer should be providing for you or that is necessary for you to carry out your current job.

This fund does not support the cost of driving lessons.

How are decisions made?

N/A

How to apply

You will need:

  • A working email account that you can access - to set up an online portal account through which applications are submitted online.
  • A recent bank statement - because we often need to check account details are correct before we can pay out a grant.  A scanned or photographed or electronic copy will need to be uploaded during the application process.

Complete the online application form below, and submit it with any supporting documentation required. If you have any problems accessing the form, please email grants@foundationscotland.org.uk  Your application cannot be fully processed until supporting documents have been received.   

We will get in touch to confirm any details.

If you would like to review the questions you will be asked to answer before starting the form, you can see them here. 

If you are successful, Foundation Scotland will email you a Notification of Award, which you need to accept.  We also require you to submit a recent bank statement or pay-in-slip to verify your bank details. If you are not successful we will tell you why. 

Apply now

Frequently asked questions

  • What can I apply for?

    Your course may be an Apprenticeship/NC/HNC/HND or a shorter course taking place over a few days or weeks. The most important thing is that you live in one of the above areas and really want to improve your skills and qualifications.

    Here are some examples: 

    Joe has had a few labouring jobs since leaving school but nothing long-term.  Now he’s seen an ad for agency driving jobs but needs a 1-week class-2 HGV licence.

    Jacqui has only had occasional casual work so far.  She’s been applying for bar jobs but feels she’d have more chance of an interview if she had the 1-day personal licence qualification.

    Dave’s being made redundant next month.  He’s heard of a warehouse job… all he needs is a 3-day fork-lift ticket.

    Margaret worked in admin before starting her family.  She needs to update her computer skills at evening classes to help her get back to work.  

    Shirley is keen to find work now her children are all at school.  She’s been accepted for the HND in Childhood Practice and hopes this will help her on a path towards becoming a Teaching Assistant.

  • Can a local business apply?

    During this pilot phase businesses cannot apply. This may change in the future. 

  • What can I use the money for?

    A grant can help pay for fees and which we can pay directly to the training provider. You can also request support for equipment or subsistence towards anything that will help you attend your further education or training course, such as: travel; childcare; study aids (e.g. laptop, software, stationery) and technical aids (e.g. specialist clothing related to the course, tools, textbooks, other specialist equipment). You must detail these costs in your application. 

  • I already get support for attending skills development and employability. Can I still apply?

    If you are already receiving support for developing your skills and employment prospects then we would discourage you from applying. This fund will not duplicate support that is already available to Patna residents and that they are already accessing. 

Contact information

For application process and technical enquiries

Central Systems Support

To talk to someone about if your eligible or the nature of your course

Donna Adams, Community Funds Adviser

Useful links