Wales provision - funding and initiatives
Funding for learning and skills are categorised as:
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.
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.
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.
Student finance
Undergraduate and postgraduate students, can create an account, apply for funding and manage their student finance account using the Student Finance website.
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.
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.
Adult or work based learning examples
*some opportunities are reliant on timebound funding
Wales Union Learning Fund (WULF)
Welsh Government WULF funding is available to all working adults in Wales, whether they are a member of a union or not. The fund aims to break down barriers to learning, upskill the Welsh workforce and encourage progression on to further learning.
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.
Chwarae Teg
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.
The Level 2 Career Development Programme will run until 2023, with the East Wales Agile Nation 2 Level 5 Career Development Programme running until 2022.
For more information, go to Agile Nation 2 or the Agile Nation 2 factsheet.
East Wales; Cardiff, Newport, Monmouthshire, Vale of Glamorgan, Powys, Wrexham and Flintshire. All other counties are considered West Wales & the Valleys.
Upskilling@work
The Upskilling@Work initiative is designed to improve skills and increase productivity in the workplace. Upskilling@Work provides opportunities for employers in Wales to gain accredited qualifications for their workforce. Find the skills gateway link here.
Aim: To upskill employees with low or no qualifications up to Level 2 and / or provide technical skills to those at Level 3 to 6
Up to 70% funding is available to upskill employees in the workplace through accredited qualifications in a range of subjects, across all sectors. Part or full qualifications can be supported.
- Operates in 2 regions - West Wales and the Valleys and East Wales.
- West Wales and the Valleys - Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil, Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen
- East Wales - Monmouth, Newport, Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan and Powys
- Providers can access the funds
- A part funded percentage of the course cost can be granted, depending on size of the workplace
- Qualifications that can be supported include: NVQs, ILMs, City and Guilds, Edexcel etc.
- WULF and Employer contributions can be used to access funds
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
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
BioInnovation Wales
BioInnovation Wales offer Study Modules for free.
- 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 here.
The project intends to enhance innovation and productivity of the Welsh biotech and food companies and to improve their associated supply chains. This will be achieved by addressing the ‘complementary problems’ of:
- High level and technical skills shortages in bio-based businesses; and
- Under-utilisation of graduates in Wales
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.
Community, Third section and other funding
Community, Third sector and other funds cover a wide range of 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.
Contact us for support and guidance.
- The National Lottery Wales
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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This handy article has some great suggestions to help you learn from home.
- Union - branches/bursaries
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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
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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.