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Introduction
According to a recent survey by ManpowerGroup the number of UK businesses that are struggling to find skilled workers has dropped for the first time in a decade. Currently, 76% of businesses looking to recruit are experiencing a skills shortage, down from 80% a year ago. The most in-demand skills in the UK include IT, data and then operations, logistics and engineering. To address the skills gap, businesses are looking at reskilling their current staff with training (28% surveyed), 23% are looking into new talent pools, including overseas staff and 21% are looking to offer higher salaries even though there is economic uncertainty and higher costs of doing business.
In order to help with the costs required to recruit and develop staff, businesses may seek grants from local authorities, enterprise support agencies, academic partners, the Government and industry specialists. Businesses can receive funding to help train and develop new skills for their existing employees, create new job roles, take on apprentices or have graduate or intern placements. In most cases match funding from the employer is required to part pay new salaries or for training courses and activities.
What Are Some Of the Latest UK Recruit and Develop Staff Grants Available?
i) Business Employment, Growth and Skills Grant
Reigate and Banstead Borough Council is providing a scheme to support businesses to promote growth and help staff gain new accredited skills or invest in new plant or premises that would lead to the recruitment of new staff, including apprentices. Funding up to £5,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 28th February 2025
ii) Greentech Business Growth Fund
Crawley Borough Council is providing funding to support businesses that operate in the green-tech or low-carbon sectors to support projects and investments that will enable business growth and generate jobs. Permitted costs include staff training and development activities. Funding up to £175,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
iii) Funding to Help Implement New Products and Processes
Scottish Enterprise is providing funding to businesses to employ short-term staff or work with consultants with specialist skills to help introduce new products or processes to improve productivity, efficiency and sustainability. Permitted costs also include training and development of existing staff and graduate placements. Funding up to £100,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 31st March 2025
iv) Training Grant
Invest in West Lothian is providing funding to businesses to invest in accredited training and upskilling activities. Applicant businesses need to be viable, have a plan for growth and operate in a higher-value sector such as construction and food and drink. Funding up to £50,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
v) Apprenticeships
Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust is funding apprenticeships for the training and education of aspiring craftspeople in the creative sectors. Apprenticeships should contribute towards the apprentice’s salary to make it at least minimum wage. Funding up to £12,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 10th February 2025
vi) Small Business Adaptation Grants
Derbyshire Dales District Council provides a scheme for businesses to apply for funding to support investments which will assist business diversification, growth, adaptation and long term resilience. Eligible expenditure can include specialist consultancy services, digital adoption, and bespoke training and development activities for staff. Funding up to £8,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 31st January 2025
vii) Basingstoke and Deane Workforce Development Grant Scheme
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council provides a scheme for local SMEs to apply for funding towards the cost of training activities that will support the professional development of employees, as well as supporting business growth and organisational resilience. Funding up to £7,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 31st January 2025
viii) The Upskilling Grant Fund
Telford and Wrekin Council is providing a scheme that provides funding to local employers towards the cost of industry specific training where it will lead to in work progression and upskilling of the overall workforce. Funding up to £3,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 28th February 2025
How To Apply For Recruit and Develop Staff Schemes
Full details about how to apply for schemes and the eligibility criteria is available on each individual scheme page on the relevant website. Any deadlines, who can apply and what eligible costs the grants will cover will also be outlined on these pages. Interested businesses can speak to recruitment and staff development advisors based at each provider who can guide them through requirements and eligibility criteria to see if the relevant funding is a match with their needs and help them to apply. There are also application forms and other supporting guidance available on scheme pages as well.
Want To Find The Latest UK Recruit and Develop Staff Funding Opportunities?
If you want to see the full set of UK recruit and develop staff funding currently available, please visit https://getbusinessgrants.com/