Learning and skills funding in Wales
Welsh Government provide funding and support that enable key services and programmes to deliver essential upskilling opportunities in Wales. You can contact a WULF project, a Union Learning Rep (ULR) or a member of our team at wtuc@tuc.org.uk about the latest news and available funds.
Eligibility
Funding can vary in terms of who is eligible and what sort of learning opportunities can be delivered.
Some funds are:
- employer-led
- targeted at individuals
- targeted at the underemployed
- targeted at graduates
- targeted at young or older workers
- regional and are only available depending on which part of Wales you work or live in.
If you have a ULR at your workplace, talk to them about your needs and aspirations. You may be asked to complete a learning needs survey or you might be signposted to your union's WULF project to receive support, advice and guidance.
List of support and funding schemes.
BioInnovation Wales
BioInnovation Wales offer study modules for free. The project intends to enhance innovation and productivity of the Welsh biotech and food companies and to improve their associated supply chains.
- Are you involved in: food production? food processing? biotechnology? Or would you like to be?
- Would you like to gain a postgraduate qualification or update your skills and knowledge?
- Would you like to understand how to integrate 'Circular Economy' - thinking into your work?
- Do you have a degree OR at least 2 years relevant work experience?
- Do you live OR work in Wales?
If you answered "yes" to these questions, then BioInnovation Wales is for you! Check your eligibility | BioInnovation factsheet
City Deals and Growth Deals in Wales
Wales has been granted regionalised investment from Government (both UK and Welsh) to boost economic growth, create jobs, improve skills, wellbeing and infrastructure. The City and Growth deals provide regional funding for projects and programmes.
The funding is given in the form of City and Growth deals to the regions below.
- Cardiff Capital Region City Deal
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The Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) and the skills partnership embraces the 10 local authority areas covering South East Wales -Blaenau Gwent; Bridgend; Caerphilly; Cardiff; Merthyr Tydfil; Monmouthshire; Newport; Rhondda Cynon Taf; Torfaen; and Vale of Glamorgan.
Their website lists current projects on a Project Hub page. Whilst the funding available is aimed at investors, employers, stakeholders and public sector organisations, they may be of interest if you live or work in the Cardiff Capital Region.
The website also has a Skills and Talent hub branded ‘Venture’. The hub is aimed at graduates, specialists and employers. Venture is a one stop shop for businesses looking to grow, and people looking to advance their careers in the Cardiff Capital Region.
The service hopes to introduce skills bootcamps and a range of qualifications that match people and employers in the most efficient and engaging way, from apprenticeship to more senior levels.
- Swansea Bay City Deal
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The Swansea Bay City deal is led by four regional local authorities - Carmarthenshire Council, Swansea Council, Neath Port Talbot Council and Pembrokeshire Council - together with the Swansea Bay and Hywel Dda University Health Boards, Swansea University, the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, and private sector partners.
Their website lists current programmes and projects with one focussing on Skills and Talent. Bespoke education and training solutions will be introduced, which meet the needs of industry and key City Deal themes. Investment will include funding for equipment and the development of courses to support the projects.
- North Wales Growth Deal
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The North Wales deal is being managed by Ambition North Wales, a list of North Wales projects can be found here.
- Mid Wales Growth Deal
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The Mid Wales Growth deal covering Powys and Ceredigion, is led by Growing Mid Wales Regional Partnership, between private and public sectors, and with Welsh Government. The initiative seeks to represent the region's interests and priorities for improvements to the mid Wales local economy.
College and provider funding
Colleges and providers in Wales have access to a variety of different funding opportunities. The Wales TUC Organising and Development Officers (ODOs) will be able to offer advice and guidance to sign post you to suitable providers.
- Chloe Rees crees@tuc.org.uk
- Joe Allen jallen@tuc.org.uk
- Kevin Williams kwilliams@tuc.org.uk
- Linsey Imms limms@tuc.org.uk
- Amerjite Singh asingh@tuc.org.uk
Union Learning Reps can email a dedicated inbox at wulr@tuc.org.uk to ask for funding advice and guidance.
Chwarae Teg - Women’s Career Development Programme
Chwarae Teg have a vision of a Wales where every woman and girl is treated equally, is able to fully participate in the economy, and public and political life and live safe from violence and fear. Chwarae Teg offer a Women’s Career Development Programme. Applications are open year-round with the West Wales & Valleys Agile Nation 2.
For more information, go to Agile Nation 2 or the Agile Nation 2 factsheet.
Flexible Skills Programme (FSP)
The Flexible Skills Programme may be able to help employers with financial support towards upskilling their workforce. They currently have specific programmes to help:
- develop advanced digital skills;
- address export related skills challenges
- support skills gaps in the Engineering and Manufacturing Sector
- support skills gaps and upskilling in the Creative Sector
- support skills gaps and upskilling in the Tourism and Hospitality Sector
Further Education
Further Education (FE) is generally delivered by Wales based colleges and to students over the age of 16. Colleges Wales has a list of providers in Wales. Colleges and FE providers in Wales will have access to a range of different funds.
Higher Education
Higher Education (HE) in Wales is delivered by Wales's universities, and the Open University in Wales. The Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) fund Higher Education institutions.
Higher Education Student Funding
Welsh Government have up to date advice for individuals considering starting a Higher Education course for the first time, or those wishing to progress onto a postgraduate course. Watch the Welsh Government video - Don't let money get in the way of university.
Learning and Work Institute Cymru
Innovation Grant – annual fund offered by Learning and Work Institute Cymru. They normally operate an annual Innovation Grant to run alongside and compliment Adult Leaners’ Week.
*Guidance and eligibility criteria may change annually.
Open University Funding
The Open University in Wales have a range of payment and financial support options to meet your individual needs and to help you meet your study goals – whether you’re studying a single module or working towards a qualification.
Personal Learning Accounts (PLAs)
Personal Learning Accounts provide flexible and fully funded learning, both online and face to face around your existing responsibilities. It will enable you to obtain the skills and qualifications you need to switch careers and embark on a new pathway.
Private Providers
A large selection of private providers deliver training and learning opportunities in Wales and may be able to access funds for learning and skills. You can search for providers on the UK Register of Learning Providers. Try searching for providers within 10 miles of major towns and cities.
Jobs Growth Wales Plus
Jobs Growth Wales+ is a training and development programme for 16-19 year olds that gives you the skills, qualifications and experience you need to get a job or further training.
ReAct+
ReAct+ offers tailored solutions which may include financial support, skills training and Personal Development Support to help remove barriers to employment, such as support with mental health, confidence building, language skills and more.
Skills for Employers and Employees (SEE)
Skills for Employers and Employees is an exciting opportunity for businesses across North Wales to develop staff skills and create a highly qualified workforce, better equipped to deliver commercial success in the future.
The programme targets key sectors including:
- Food
- Digital Economy (Providing support for businesses to access training and development to improve their ICT capabilities)
- Life Sciences and Health
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Tourism, Recreation and Leisure
- Care
- Construction
- Energy and Low Carbon
Skills Gateway
The Skills Gateway is a free website based service on Business Wales which focusses on skills development, support and advice. Local support available to you can be viewed by choosing a Local Authority on their interactive Wales map.
The Skills Information Hub has further advice and guidance for workplace issues e.g. recruitment, training, inductions and skills profiles. This could help ULRs plan activity for new staff with management and/or workplace training team.
There is also a range of information on apprenticeship and Flexible Skills Programme (FSP). The FSP may be able to help employers with financial support towards upskilling their workforce.
Student finance
Undergraduate and postgraduate students, can create an account, apply for funding and manage their student finance account using the Student Finance website.
Upskilling@work
The Upskilling@Work initiative is designed to improve skills and increase productivity in the workplace. To upskill employees with low or no qualifications up to Level 2 and / or provide technical skills to those at Level 3 to 6. Upskilling@Work provides opportunities for employers in Wales to gain accredited qualifications for their workforce. Visit the skills gateway webpage for more information. Upskilling@work factsheet
Vocational
Vocational learning funding options in Wales:
Apprenticeships are a great way to gain qualifications while you work and earn a wage. Find out about apprenticeships, what they involve, how to apply and much more.
Wales Union Learning Fund (WULF)
WULF is a union led fund with 18 active projects delivering across Wales and most industry sectors. Jobs Growth Wales+ is a Welsh Government programme included in the Young Person’s Guarantee.
Working Wales and Careers Wales
Working Wales is a free employment, learning, skills and funding advice service, set up to support individuals through changing times. Advisors provide guidance and access to training to help you get into work or further your career. The Support Finder enables the user to find support programmes a person may be eligible for, depending on their individual circumstances. e: workingwales@careerswales.gov.wales Phone: 0800 028 4844
Working Wales is delivered by Careers Wales. The Careers Wales Funding webpage lists the current support available to help fund your studies.
Working Skills for Adults II
Working Skills for Adults is a regional project supporting working people who have only low level or no formal qualifications across the counties of Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil and Torfaen. The aim of the project is to provide support to participants to gain new skills and accredited qualifications.
Community, Third sector and other funds cover a wide range of opportunities. Contact us for support and guidance.
Other funding opportunities
Community learning opportunities can complement work based learning by helping an individual get a taste for learning, build confidence and progress onto further study.
The National Lottery Wales
The National Lottery raises money for good causes. People use this funding to do extraordinary things, taking the lead to improve their lives and communities.
Keep Wales Tidy
Keep Wales Tidy are a charity working across Wales to protect the environment for now and for the future. They offer starter packages for community groups to create, restore and enhance local places for nature. #BacktoNature
WCVA Funding
The Wales Council for Voluntary Action manage several different funding schemes that benefit the voluntary and Third sector in Wales.
In the funding section you’ll find information on WCVA’s funding schemes, along with everything you need to help you search for and maintain funding for your cause.
Funding Wales
Funding Wales is a new funding search platform created by Third Sector Support Wales. Find funding for your charity, community group or social enterprise using their free online search engine.
Once registered you can search hundreds of grant and loan finance opportunities from local, national and international sources. From small grants to large capital projects we can help you find the funding you need.
Funding Wales lists funders with a track record of supporting projects in Wales.
Arts
The Arts Council for Wales help people to make, present and exhibit the arts. They work with artists and organisations to reach as many people across Wales as possible. They offer funding and research the ways we can protect and sustain creative activities in Wales.
The Arts Council for Wales have accessed funding from the National Lottery.
Fitness and Sports
Sport Wales are the national organisation responsible for developing and promoting sport and physical activity in Wales. They manage The Be Active Wales Fund which aims to protect and progress community sport clubs and organisations in Wales.
Free Online Learning Platforms
This handy article has some great suggestions to help you learn from home.
Union – Branches / bursaries
Some unions run bursary schemes to help their members, contact your local branch, or check their website to find out more.
Funding for exchange visits
Taith - International Learning Exchange Programme (Erasmus+ replacement)
Taith is Wales’ new international learning exchange programme, creating life-changing opportunities to travel, volunteer, learn and experience.
