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Ventient Energy Westfield Wind Farm Community Fund (Kinglassie) Education & Training Fund

Grant size Up to £1,500
Area
Fife
Key dates  
Deadline: Apply at any time

About this fund

The Ventient Energy Westfield Wind Farm Community Fund (Kinglassie) Education & Training Fund supports residents of any age living in the Kinglassie Community Council area to take up vocational training and educational courses. The Fund is provided by Westfield Wind Farm Limited (WWFL) the owner and operator of the Westfield Wind Farm in Fife. WWFL is a subsidiary of Ventient Energy and also provides community funds to the neighbouring communities of Benarty and Cardenden.  

The Kinglassie Education & Training Fund began as a one-year pilot in 2023, and will now run continuously with up to £10,000 available each year to support local people aged 16 and over take up education and training opportunities.  The annual amount available will be reviewed periodically but could continue for the wind farm's operating lifetime, which is expected to be until 2039. 

Education and Training Fund grants of up to £500 per year are available to individuals.  Applicants undertaking multi-year courses may apply for up to 3-years' funding (ie. up to £1,500).  

(Grants of up to £4,000 are also available to community groups for projects and actiovities in Kinglassie from the Ventient Energy Westfield Wind Farm Community Fund (Kinglassie) - more information here).  

Purpose of this fund

The Fund provides grants to help local people take up vocational education and training courses to increase their skills and enable access to a wider range of employment opportunities.  In recognition of the financial and practical challenges that can make it more difficult for people in Kinglassie to take up courses, funding can be used to cover part or all of a course fee, travel costs, essential equipment such as books or IT equipment, childcare and subsistence. 

Additional criteria

There is no restriction on the sector or subject chosen. The important thing is that you are committed to completing the study or training course and showing how it will help you realise your employment ambitions. 

Preference is given to requests for courses and training provided in Fife, but this does not exclude consideration of other courses or providers.   

Who can apply?

Applications are welcome from anyone who is: 

  • Aged 16 and over 

  • A resident in Kinglassie  

  • On (or applying for) a further/higher education or training course to develop skills and employability. 

What can’t be funded?

Information on what the fund cannot support is provided here.  

Costs for high school pupils to attend external college courses are not eligible. 

How are decisions made?

Foundation Scotland will review your application and may contact you for further information. You will receive a decision by email.  

Frequently asked questions

  • What type of course can the funding be used for?

    Grants can be used to attend vocational training and educational courses that will help develop your skills and improve your employment prospects.  The study or training can be at a college, university or private training provider.  Both long courses of a year or more and short courses are eligible.  They can be full or part-time. 

    Below are some examples of situations we can help with. 

    • 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 course to gain a class-2 HGV licence. 

    • Jacqui is excited to have been offered a place at university.  Her course is in the central belt so it makes sense to move but she is anxious about the costs involved. 

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

    • Margaret had a job in admin before starting her family.  She needs to update her computer skills at an evening class to help her get back to work. 

    • Asha is leaving High School and hopes to start an HND or HNC at Fife College.

  • How much can I apply for?

    You may apply for up to £500 per year, and for up to 3 years' funding for multi-year courses (ie. up to £1,500). The amount of grant you apply for will depend on the course you want to do and the other expenses you will have.

    You can apply for all or part of the course fees (if these are not going to be paid from another source e.g. SAAS, your employer or the Council). Grants can also cover expenses whilst studying, such as towards travel or accommodation costs, essential equipment such as books or IT equipment, childcare and subsistence. 

  • When can I apply?

    The Fund is open to applications at any time, there are no deadlines.  

  • How will I receive the grant if my application is successful?

    If your application is approved you will receive an email with details of the grant being offered.  If the grant is to help cover the course fees it may be paid directly to your training provider.  In all other cases it will be paid to your bank account.  We ask for a copy of your bank statement or pay-in slip to verify your bank account details when you apply.  

  • Do I need to do anything after I have received a grant?

    Yes, we will ask you to let us know how you got on with your course and whether the grant has helped you find work that suits you.  You will asked to complete a short online form to tell us how you got on with your course - if your grant is for more than one year, you will need to complete the form each year.  

     

    We always appreciate help to spread the word about the fund to other people in the area, and occasionally we ask applicants for help in sharing 'good news' stories.  

  • I receive other financial support, can I still apply?

    Yes, but please provided details of other grants, bursaries and student loans.  The Fund does not apply a personal ‘means test’ but if we receive more applications than we can support, we may use this information to help us make a fair decision. 

How to apply

Please apply below.  If you have any problems accessing the form please email grants@foundationscotland.org.uk or call 0131 524 0300. 

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

Completed applications must have all supporting documents submitted before they will be processed.  You may be contacted to discuss your application and clarify any issues.   

Click here to apply

Contact information

For application process and technical enquiries

Central Systems Support

For criteria and fund priority enquiries

Laura McLeod, Foundation Scotland

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