European funding opportunity for collaborative business training
Call title – Skills for Businesses
Up to £4.4 million is now available through the European Social Fund (ESF) to enable businesses to identify and fill skills gaps.
The funding forms part of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Growth Programme, building on Convergence funding to deliver economic regeneration for the region from 2014-2020.
Employers are being encouraged to work together to identify business needs and develop innovative delivery solutions to further the skills of their workforce. Business collaborations may be linked by industry specialism, location or simply a shared need. It is hoped this approach will increase training delivery efficiency and result in a broad upskilling of the workforce in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Small and micro businesses are also encouraged to identify skills needs within their individual businesses and propose training delivery solutions.
Sandra Rothwell, representing the Local Enterprise Partnership on the Integrated Territorial Investment Board, said: ‘This call is geared to meeting the skills needs of our future economy and focuses on areas of potential growth where we already have a competitive advantage. These needs will range from upskilling people in traditional sectors like agriculture to delivering entirely new skills and ensuring that we have a pipeline of talent to sustain economic growth.’
Priorities for ESF are to increase labour market participation, promote social inclusion and develop the skills of the potential and existing workforce. Employers are encouraged to develop new provision that could include building the capacity of small employers to provide placements, internships or apprenticeships.
Updated Call Details – 09/11/16
In addition applicants applying for ESF funds under I.P 2.2 will be expected to complete a short annex, along with the standard application Outline Application form. This is to ensure that full consideration is being given to the ‘Value for Money’ (VFM). The Annex for ESF IP 2.2 funding calls can be located on the European Growth Funding website page.
Closing Date
The Closing Date has been extended to the 16th January 2017.
Applicant Support
Potential applicants / applicants may wish to take advantage of information and support services funded through ESF Technical Assistance and available to assist the design and development of compliant projects / applications for ESF. Details of your local Technical Assistance funded project can be found at
www.cornwallislesofscillygrowthprogramme.org.uk/where-to-go-for-help
Full details about this funding opportunity and the application process can be found at https://www.gov.uk/european-structural-investment-funds/skills-for-growth-project-call-in-cornwall-isles-of-scilly-lep-oc05s16p-0403
Further information about the European Social Fund can be found at www.cornwallislesofscillygrowthprogramme.org.uk/fund/esf
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Notes to editor
Contact
Alex Ledbrooke
Engagement Officer, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ITI Support Team (European Structural and Investment Funds)
Mobile – 07854 039960
Email – aledbrooke@cornwall.gov.uk
Website – www.cornwallislesofscillygrowthprogramme.org.uk
Twitter – @GrowthProgramme
Economic Development and Culture
Cornwall Council
Level 5, Zone A
Pydar House
Pydar Street
Truro
TR1 1XU
European Social Fund
The project is receiving up to £4,440,000 of funding from the European Social Fund (ESF) as part of the 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme in England. The Department for Work and Pensions is the Managing Authority for the England ESF programme. Established by the European Union ESF funds help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, skills development, job creation, social inclusion and local community regenerations. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding