THE FUNDING

							                            NW Train to Gain
                   Leadership & Management Funding
There is recognition that support is required if we are to drive up the economic
performance of businesses/organisations at local, regional and national levels.

As a result, Business Link North West has funding to help and support Leaders and
Managers in their development to help improve business performance. Details are
given below of who is eligible for this funding and how to access a grant.
THE FUNDING
      5-249 employees - up to £1,000 each for up to 7 leaders/key managers (max funding = £7,000)
   250-999 employees - up to £1,000 each for up to 6 leaders/key managers (max funding = £6,000)
     Each eligible leader/key manager could receive grant funding of up to £1,000. (No individual manager can receive
      more than £1,000 of grant support and the maximum for each business is detailed above (per size banding).

     The first £500 is a grant. The second £500 is match funded £1-for-£1 to a maximum additional grant of £500.
      **Where the grant is being used to support HEFCE funded HE provision (e.g. foundation degree, post grad
      cert/dip, degree, MBA, masters) it is essential the grant money is matched funded in its entirety)

THE ELIGIBILITY
     The organisation applying for grant funding must employ between 5 and 999 people (full time equivalent)
     The organisation applying for grant funding must be located in the north west region
     If only part of company is NW based, but total staff numbers are between 5 and 999: only the NW based business
      unit may apply for funding and must have at least 5 people located there
     If only part of company is NW based, but total staff numbers are 1000+: only the NW based business unit may
      apply for funding and must have between 5 and 999 staff. Also, the NW based business unit must show they “act
      independently” of the parent company and demonstrate separate financial accounts are maintained. **A
      declaration may be required from the parent organisation to prove independence, including confirmation of
      separate accounts.
     The leader to be funded should be based in (e.g. have their core office/site in) the north west region


      Exclusions
     Individuals who have previously accessed Train to Gain Leadership & Management funding. (Other leaders / key
      managers in the organisation who have not previously access this funding, subject to other criteria being satisfied,
      may be eligible)
     Individuals who live in the NW but who are based outside the NW region
     NW located business units, part of a 1000+ organisation, who cannot demonstrate “independence of action”
     Funding cannot be used to support the cost of: travel, accommodation, subsistence, statutory/mandatory training,
      membership fees, accreditation, capital equipment, employer contributions to other LSC/ESF funding streams

THE PROCESS
     All referrals for funding should made to Business Link North West at information@traintogainnw.org.
     Eligible clients will be allocated a Business Link Skills Broker to work with them
     The client must be willing to undertake an initial diagnostic assessment of their development needs
     The client must be willing to develop and fulfil a Personal Development Plan
     The client must be willing to undertake the identified development activity(ies) within a specified timescale
     The client must be willing to contribute to the review and evaluation process


                                 Centre for Assessment & Recognition Ltd
                                6e Mandarin Court, Centre Park, Warrington, WA1 1GG
                                                 Tel: 01925 256650
                           NW Train to Gain
                   Latest Core and Enhanced Offers
Core Offer: Open to all employers, all sectors and all sizes
Fully Funded                                       Shared Investment
  First level 2                                     First Level 3
  Repeat level 2 (from Sector Services              Repeat level 3 from SSC agreed list
   Council (SSC) list)                               ESOL
  Skills for Life qualifications all levels         Apprenticeships
  First level 3 (19-24 year olds)                   Leadership and Management
  First level 3 for individuals w/o first level 2
  First level 4 (19-24 year olds) w/o first L3


Enhanced Offer from 2nd January – available to SMEs only (those with fewer than 250 employees)
Offer                                             Ineligible
  Level 2 – all fully funded including repeats      Public Sector enterprises
   on agreed SSC lists                               State Schools
  No limits on volumes of repeat                    State owned prisons
   qualifications for eligible SMEs                  Third Sector Voluntary and Charity (if no paid
  Level 3 – for 19-24 year olds and Level 3           workers)
   jumpers – all fully funded Level 3 for 25+
                                                     Branches and subsidiaries owned by large
   year old co-funded as with core offer
                                                       enterprises
   including repeats agreed SSC list
  No limits on volumes of repeat
   qualifications for eligible SMEs
  Bite sized units in business critical areas
   (138 areas do not have to lead to
   qualification and can mix and match bits
   over 12 months – and still do another
   qualification the following year!)**
  Leadership and Management extended –
   up to 6 leaders/managers in one business
   can access up to £1000 (matched £500
   funding) (see over page)


** Examples of bite sized units in business critical areas:
      Business improvement techniques                        Cash flow and profit management
      Business systems processes                             IT user/IT support
      Team working/ communication                            Individual can access up to a total of 15
      Finance and credit                                      funding bands (each unit has a funding
      Marketing and Sales                                     rate band) within a 12 month period
      Risk Management                                        To an overall value of a full level 2 which
      Customer Service                                        works out at £1226

                All referrals for Train to Gain support or funding should be made to:
                Business Link North West at information@traintogainnw.org.uk

                            Centre for Assessment & Recognition Ltd
                           6e Mandarin Court, Centre Park, Warrington, WA1 1GG
                                            Tel: 01925 256650