Select from the options below to find out more about business grants.
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South Ribble Skills and Training Grants
Applications for the skills and training grants open on Monday 7 July 2025.
This scheme can assist businesses to access funding for employees to gain a vocational qualification or license.
Training / Retraining: This grant is to assist businesses to train new recruits or to upskill existing staff. This includes staff undertaking a recognised training course (a training course leading to a nationally recognised qualification or certificate from an accredited training organisation or professional body)
The grant application must be approved by the council before any training commences.
The training should commence after the council issues written approval. Training courses must be completed no later than 31 March 2026.
The training grant cannot be used to fund apprenticeships or any other training which is available through DWP funded initiatives or adult education provision.
The training grant cannot be used to fund training that has already started or has already been completed.
The training grant payment will be paid following the submission of a paid invoice and receipt, these will need to be supplied before 31 March 2026.
Eligibility criteria
- employees must be over the age of 18 and be a permanent employee of the business with a contract of employment
- recipients of the training grants must be contracted to work a minimum of 25 hours per week
- the employee must be receiving, as a minimum, the Real Living Wage
- one training grant is available per business
- training course must be completed by 31 March 2026
- employees must have the right to work within the UK
- training must be delivered by an accredited training organisation or professional body
- these grants are open to businesses based and operating in South Ribble
- businesses must be active and trading as usual. Businesses that are dormant, in liquidation, dissolved, or subject to a striking-off notice are not eligible
- applications will be processed on a first-come, first -served basis. We reserve the right to amend the scheme at any time
- businesses that have already received support that equals or exceeds the maximum Subsidy Allowance limits are excluded.
- grant applications must be submitted through the official online form.
South Ribble Borough Council cannot fund retrospective expenditure for training that has already started or has already been completed.
We would encourage applicants to use local suppliers.
Grants (for approved applications) will only be paid on receipt of a paid invoice and receipt for the approved, eligible training.
Training courses must be completed no later than 31 March 2026. All paid invoices and receipts must be submitted by 31 March 2026.
Grant amounts
Training/Retraining (unfunded training - Up to £500 per business being trained
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