SME businesses invited to apply for upskilling and reskilling support in new fund

The Scottish Government have announced a new Flexible Workforce Development Fund (FWDF) which will allow SMEs to access up to £5,000 worth of training through Scotland’s colleges.

Defined as a business with less than 250 employees, SMEs will be able to access training locally at Perth College UHI to support them in adapting and responding to the impacts of COVID-19 and help their existing employees to upskill and reskill.

Heather Boag, Perth College UHI Business Link Manager explained: “The Flexible Workforce Development Fund for Levy payers - which is open to any business - has been around for four years now and colleges are experienced in working with employers to deliver training that benefits them. Now extended to include SME’s, this new funding is ideal timing for qualifying businesses as they adapt to new ways of working as sectors and the economy look toward recovery.”

Live Active Leisure have benefited from FWDF Training over the years. Kevin Riddell, Training and Development Officer explained: “The FWDF has been an extremely valuable resource for the Company and our employees, providing an opportunity to access training and development for a number of our employees at the same time where previously training and development opportunities would have been limited year-on-year.

“This has helped the Company to offer a wider range of training and development which has seen an increase in levels of staff confidence for those that have benefited, which has had a very positive impact on both them and the business. The investment in our employees through the FWDF has enabled us to obtain professionally qualified and multi skilled individuals who are well equipped to step up when opportunities arise, which inevitably raises moral and demonstrates the Company’s commitment to personal development and ongoing opportunities for our employees.”

Veronica Lynch, Perth College UHI Vice Principal for External Engagement added: “We are delighted that the Scottish Government have made this funding available and we are excited to have the opportunity to work more closely with our local SMEs in these challenging times and to be able to support them in future-proofing their workforce.”

For further information on how to apply for the Flexible Workforce Development Fund for SMEs, see www.perth.uhi.ac.uk/fwdf-sme or contact businessteam.perth@uhi.ac.uk to discuss your skills and training requirements.