The Flexible Workforce Development Fund (FWDF)
The Scottish Government has announced that the Flexible Workforce Development Fund (FWDF) will now be available to all Scottish employers, including SMEs across the private, public and third sectors. Access to the fund was previously restricted to Scottish businesses who paid the UK Government apprenticeship levy.
This change means that more Scottish employers will be able to apply for funding to provide upskilling and reskilling opportunities for their existing staff.
In August the Scottish Government announced that they would double the funding for the FWDF to £20m for 2020/2021 to assist the economy to recover from the Coronavirus pandemic. The first phase of this funding of £13m was made available to allow colleges to provide additional support for levy paying businesses.
The second tranche of funding of £7m will open for applications from 16 November 2020. A total of £5m of this second tranche of funding will be made available to SMEs through a college and Open University in Scotland partnership.
- Levy-paying employers can access up to £15,000 with wider access through colleges or Skills Development Scotland (SDS) in 2020/21.
- SMEs will be able to access up to £5,000 through college and Open University training in 2020/21.
- The fund can be used to fully cover training costs or partially cover training at a higher cost.
Changes for Levy-paying employers
- Levy-paying employers who are eligible for the FWDF will still be able to invest in the development of their supply chain.
- Levy-payers can give up their access to the FWDF and nominate up to two of their supply chain companies.
- For the first time, Levy-payers can now source training through private providers administered by SDS.
Restrictions
- Employers can submit only one application to the fund within the application period. This includes Levy-paying SMEs.
- The FWDF does not support the provision of industry qualifications or training where there is a statutory obligation required by law.
- Employers must be based or operate either wholly or partially within Scotland.
For further information and details of how to apply please visit: –
The FWDF is in addition to apprenticeship support which all employers in Scotland can access.
The information in this blog provides only an overview of Scottish Government guidance and legislation in force at the date of publication and no action should be taken without consulting the detailed Scottish Government guidance and legislation or seeking professional advice. Therefore no responsibility for loss occasioned by any person acting or refraining from action as a result of the material contained in this blog can be accepted by the firm.
