North East Scotland Investment Zone launches £5million Skills Fund
A £5 million Skills Fund has been launched by the North East Scotland Investment Zone (NESIZ) aimed at tackling skills challenges and strengthening the region's future workforce.
Supported by Scottish Government funding, the NESIZ Skills Fund offers grants of up to £750,000 for projects which support skills development, talent attraction and workforce capability across the region's key growth sectors.
Expressions of interest are already being made by local organisations, and further approaches are being encouraged by Friday (Sep 18) before full applications are submitted by October 30. Further rounds of funding will be publicised in the coming months.
The initial £1.6 million tranche of funding will specifically support projects which deliver measurable benefits for the Green Energy and Digital Technology sectors, helping to ensure the region has the skills and talent needed to drive future economic growth.
Applications are being sought from organisations which can address identified workforce and skills challenges through innovative, impactful activity which:
• Addresses skills shortages constraining Investment Zone growth
• Increases availability of skills aligned to Green Energy and Digital Tech sectors
• Supports inclusive growth and reduces barriers to participation
• Responds flexibly to employer demand and technological change
• Complements existing provision
Projects must demonstrate a clear evidence-based need, respond to employer demand, deliver measurable outcomes and provide activity that is additional to existing provision.
The NESIZ team is particularly keen to hear from organisations with ideas which can make a lasting difference to workforce development across the north east of Scotland, whether through new pilot activity, expanded training opportunities or larger strategic interventions.
Open to a wide range of organisations, including businesses, education and training providers, charities, social enterprises, public sector organisations and partnership projects, the fund is available through three routes:
• Pilot projects: up to £24,999
• Medium projects: £25,000 to £249,999
• Large or strategic projects: £250,000 to £750,000
Chair of the North East Scotland Investment Zone Joint Committee, Cllr Anne Stirling, said: “We very much welcome this funding which will help support skills-related activity across the region. It is absolutely vital that project proposals demonstrate a clear evidence-based need, deliver measurable outcomes and provide value for money.
“Crucially, they must also demonstrate that their activity would not otherwise happen or would not happen at the same scale, scope or pace without support from the fund. While match funding is not mandatory, proposals demonstrating additional leveraged investment, employer contributions or in-kind support will score more highly under value for money considerations.”
Tom Arthur, Minister for Business and Fair Work, said: “The North East Scotland Investment Zone presents a significant opportunity to build on the region’s strengths in green industries and digital technologies, creating high-quality jobs and supporting economic growth.
“I welcome the launch of this Skills Fund which will support innovative projects that help people develop the skills employers need while creating new opportunities in some of Scotland’s most exciting growth sectors. I encourage organisations from across the region to come forward with ambitious proposals that can help address skills challenges, support local employers and ensure North East Scotland has the talent and expertise needed to thrive in the years ahead.”
Organisations interested in applying are encouraged to act quickly, with the first stage of the process requiring an Expression of Interest by Friday, September 18. Full applications must then be submitted by October 30.
Anyone considering an application is encouraged to discuss their ideas with the NESIZ team in advance.
For further information or to discuss a potential project, please contact nesiz@aberdeenshire.gov.uk