Applications for a Scottish Government Grant aimed at up-skilling workers in the renewable industry are still closed despite today being the start of the new financial year.
The Low Carbon Skills Fund is aimed at SME’s with fewer than 250 employees and businesses can apply for grants up to £12,500 which can be put towards employee training costs.
Funding can be provided for up to 25 episodes of training, providing 50% of the total training cost with a maximum of £500 per training visit.
The website where businesses can apply for grants currently displays the following message,
“The details of a new programme of funding from 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016 are being developed and once they've been agreed with the Scottish Government we will be able to accept new applications. Further updates will be provided.”
With the site still refusing to accept applications for this year’s funding, Scottish Conservative Energy Spokesman, Murdo Fraser MSP, has called on the Government to clarify the situation.
Commenting Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“Grants provided by the Low Carbon Skills Fund are aimed specifically at smaller businesses who are looking to contribute to energy efficiency efforts and to deliver the Government’s decarbonisation programme.
“If the Scottish Government is really serious about creating 130,000 jobs in the renewables industry then they must deliver the right workforce training. The Low Carbon Skills Fund was viewed as an essential cog in this effort.
“The longer 2015/16 funding is delayed the further Scotland will fall behind on energy efficiency targets.
“For businesses who rely on Government grants to up-skill their workforce further delays in the application process will cast uncertainty over the industry and I would call on the Scottish Government to clarify the status of funding for 2015/16.”