Skills Boost for Business Growth Grant Programme

Eligibility criteria

Grants will only be offered on a first come, first served basis to companies who meet the criteria. Eligible businesses should employ one or more employees and will apply on behalf of employees. Owners cannot avail of the training grants.

1. Training should be easily obtained by the individual or employer on receipt of a letter of offer for funding.
2. Two ‘like for like’ quotes must be provided for each training initiative.  If a local provider cannot be sourced, please provide quotes from companies outside of the Lisburn and Castlereagh area. Emails from training providers and screen shots from relevant training providers’ websites are acceptable and should be provided when submitting your application. Failure to provide the required number of quotes will result in the application being rejected.
3. Evidence of quotes should be sent to lmp@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk at the time of submitting your application. Please include your business name in the subject of the email.
4. Applicants must complete a pre and post programme survey form on successful completion of scheme and be prepared to report on programme outcomes six months post completion. A copy of the pre-programme survey form must be completed by each applicant as part of the Letter of Offer Acceptance criteria.
5. Applicants must submit bank statements, receipts, invoices and copies of certificates on completion of the initiative via a Grant Claim Form. Payments will be made retrospectively. 
6. Participants must be employed in the Lisburn and Castlereagh area.
7. Applicants must provide full details of proposed initiative and include all costs.
8. Applicants must include VAT registration details. Payments to those who are VAT registered will be made exclusive of VAT, if not VAT registered payments will be made inclusive of VAT.
9. One application form may be made per business/ owner /employer including subsidiaries of the business and can propose more than one employee but not more than four, excluding the business owner.
10. The grants are up to £500 per person to cover and/or contribute to the cost of training. Training must include an industry recognised certification or qualification eg First Aid, CSR Card, Forklift licence, Hygiene Certificates. Grants are capped at four employees per employer (maximum amount of £2,000)

The following will not be considered for funding membership fees, beauty treatments, teambuilding events, taxi, transport costs or other costs not associated with this grant and deemed ineligible by the Labour Market Partnership.