Skills Development Scotland, on behalf of Scottish Government, has launched a Grant Scheme for Modern Apprenticeship (MA) and Employability Fund (EF) learning providers.
The funding support is designed to assist eligible providers with the costs of providing continuity of contracted services for apprentices, learners and employers during the pandemic.
The Grant-in-Aid scheme offers eligible SDS MA and EF contract holders a monthly grant payment. The scheme initially covered the period of April to June 2020 and was extended to include July, August, September and October 2020 and now includes January and February 2021.
Support is calculated each month as 1/12th of the contract value, minus payments already made and paying 40% of the balance, capped at actual costs.
Some providers have already claimed over the calculated monthly payment and will therefore not receive any relief payment for the month concerned.
Contracted MA and EF training providers who are continuing to deliver contracted and supported services for apprentices, employers and learners during the COVID-19 pandemic are eligible for the relief funding.
For the purposes of the grant eligibility, this will be evidenced by at least one FIPS claim for each month. Providers will also show, through completion of a template, that they are continuing to work with 60% or more of their apprentices or learners, and for MA providers also evidencing contact with 60% of available employers.
Applications can be made for support for January and February 2021.
For applications covering April, May and June 2020:
Applications have now closed.
For applications covering July and August 2020:
Applications have now closed.
For applications covering September and October 2020:
Applications have now closed.
For application covering January and February 2021:
The new Instruction document provides guidance and outlines the full process and requirements for each step.
Instructions, Application form, Terms and Conditions and Control sheet for January and February 2021 can be accessed in the publications area.
Yes, however, the Scottish Government policy intention is that this relief measure should add value to existing UK or Scottish Government COVID-19 relief funding. Providers must make a self-declaration stating that the SDS relief funding is not being used for the same underlying costs covered by other COVID-19 relief measures.
The simple to use template application form provided should enable providers to demonstrate that they are eligible.
Those providers who meet the grant conditions for each month will be eligible. The application period to support the months of April, May, July and August 2020 has now closed. Payments will commence following a review and approval of the application.
The control sheet for August can be accessed on the provider area of apprenticeships.scot.
SDS will endeavour to review applications as quickly as possible.
The Control Sheet for August submissions can be accessed on the provider area of apprenticeships.scot.
An updated Instruction document, Application Form, Terms and Conditions and Control Sheets for September and October are available on the provider area of apprenticeships.scot. Any questions should be submitted to NTPContracts@sds.co.uk.
The funding has been made available through the Temporary Framework for State Aid Measures to Support the Economy in the Current COVID-19 Outbreak and so has to adhere to the financial information requirements needed for all State Aid funding applications.
The Scottish Government’s policy intention is to support those providers who are continuing to deliver contracted services to learners, apprentices and employers during the pandemic.
It has been created to add value to existing UK and Scottish Government support and those providers who are not eligible are encouraged to consider the other forms of support available.
In the case of MAs, due to the payment plan requirements allied to the framework demands, as well as the effects of the pandemic, some providers are continuing to deliver contracted services but unable to claim milestone payments. The relief offers a means of supporting providers in such a situation.
The payments will be deducted from your overall contract value.
No, the extension period enables eligible contracted providers to apply for relief for the months of September and October only.
If you have made an application for the April – June and/or July-August Relief Grant(s), you must complete an Application Form (Part 2 Grant Need and Activity Sheet) with projected costs for September and October only (Rows 14 to 24). If any other information in your previous application(s) has changed, then you should update those sections as well, e.g. if you have applied for any other Covid-19 relief funds. After the end of each Active Financial Period, a Control Sheet with activity not recorded on FIPS should be returned no later than 15 days after the Active Financial Period end, or the Grant approval date where the application is made after an Active Financial Period end.
No, you do not need to include any Apprentices/Participants that you have already made a business as usual claim FIPS claim for in the same month you are claiming for.
No, the Activity Control Sheet should not include Apprentices/Participants who have left the programme prior to the month you are claiming for.
No, all activity for the month should be submitted at the end of the period being claimed for.
Yes, the 20/21 password issued by SDS should be used to protect the sheet before emailing.
No.
National Insurance numbers should be submitted without a space or dash between the digits. E.g. AB201030B
Yes, the NI Number input on FIPS must match the Activity Control Sheet. If the participant has previously used a temporary NI Number, you must ensure this is updated on FIPS and the Activity Control Sheet.
No, you must not amend the Activity Control Sheet in any way. If there are changes made to the layout of the Activity Control Sheet, SDS will not accept this.
If you deliver training for apprenticeships, please visit the dedicated area on the SDS corporate site for the most up to date information and advice.
Find out moreWe've pulled together some of the most commonly asked questions about the impact of COVID-19 and delivering apprenticeships on the SDS corporate site.
Read our FAQs