Malvern Hills District Council launches new £1,500 upskilling grants for businesses

Local businesses could receive up to £1,500 towards the cost of taking on a new apprentice or trainee thanks to a new Upskilling Grant.

Businesses in any sector can apply for up to two upskilling grants from Malvern Hills District Council, as long as the trainees started after 1 October 2022.

The grant can be used to support the training of any apprentice or trainee carrying out an accredited qualification.

To qualify, businesses need to be based in the Malvern Hills district postcode area and employ fewer than 250 people.

They must pay at least the minimum wage to the trainee for a post of at least 20 hours a week, including training, over a minimum of three months. They must also provide for the trainee to gain a recognised qualification.

The new grant has been launched as a result of the successful Malvern Hills and Wychavon Upskilling Project which was part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund, which has now ended.

The £283,000 project involved a range of activities designed to boost skills, help businesses grow and support people into work.

The 2022 programme supported 39 businesses to which 56 grants were paid out, totalling £112,000.

41 apprentices were supported with training incentive payments totalling £20,500, of which 27 claimed further bursary support for equipment, work clothing and travel of £12,931.

The project also delivered the Skills Survey and age friendly support with Helen Astill from HR Solutions.

Bar Limon, located on Church Street in Great Malvern received grant support as part of the CRF Programme last year. Opening 18 months ago, the business serves tapas and small plates, cocktails and Spanish beers and wines.

Lucy Dunlop, Owner of Bar Limon, said: "We received great support from MHDC with the application process and from HOW College with the courses available and meeting the needs of the apprentices and the business. I applied for the grant as part of the CRF programme because I was looking to support local young people in gaining qualifications and benefit my business by having enthusiastic learners working for me".

Cllr Daniel Walton, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Tourism at Malvern Hills District Council, said: "This is a great opportunity for small or medium sized local businesses, and I'd encourage them to apply and take advantage of this funding, which was a great success last year."

Visit www.malvernhills.gov.uk/grants-and-funding to find out more about the grant, and how to apply.

Notes to editors:

The Malvern Hills and Wychavon Upskilling Project has received £283,050 from the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund.

The UK Community Renewal Fund is a UK Government programme for 2021/22. This aims to support people and communities most in need across the UK to pilot programmes and new approaches to prepare for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It invests in skills, community and place, local business, and supporting people into employment.

Visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-community-renewal-fund-prospectus for more information.