BMET education & training bursaries changing more and more lives
What do a lorry driver, a park ranger and a spa therapist have in common? The answer is that these are just some of the jobs successfully secured in 2022 by people supported by the EDF Burnhead Moss Education & Training (BMET) Fund.
Since launching in 2016, the BMET Fund has awarded 375 grants worth over £400,000 helping 242 individuals access training and education courses, achieve qualifications and move on into jobs, further training and enhanced career prospects.
2022 was BMET’s biggest year on record, increasing from 8 grant awards in 2016 to 50 in 2022; from £5,100 paid out in 2016 to £75,000 in 2022. In short, BMET is having a greater impact than ever before.
Training and jobs are rarely far from the headlines. But many people worry that they don’t have enough money to pay for course fees, equipment, travel or childcare to take part in the training – particularly in the current cost-of-living crisis. Missing out on training opportunities can make it difficult to get a job, take up more skilled work and aspire to a more positive future.
The BMET Fund provides bursaries to help residents of specific villages in West Lothian and Falkirk overcome some of the financial barriers to accessing training. BMET also covers the cost of a local outreach worker, who has played a key role in the Fund’s success, offering 1-to-1 support and advice to individuals to consider options, seek funding and get enrolled. The inaugural outreach worker Heather Baird recently relinquished the role, having herself successfully progressed into a new job boosting employability in other parts of Scotland:
“It’s been a great experience for myself, to be able to develop the Fund and see it evolve, and a real privilege to help others to make use of the funding. Without the funding a lot of the folk I’ve worked with wouldn’t have been able to get into the training that they wanted. I think it’s raised people’s aspirations of what they can achieve.
I spoke recently with a client from Slamannan who got funding in 2019 towards a BSc Natural Science (Physics) degree with the Open University. At the time, he was working full-time as a delivery driver and he was worried about having to take out an expensive loan if he was going to get a qualification and progress his career. Thanks to the BMET funding, he graduated last year and he’s now got a graduate job with a major renewables company. His whole family are really proud of him, and financially it has changed their lives completely for the future.”
Guided by a Working Group of local residents representing the Fund’s target area of Avonbridge & Standburn, Limerigg & Slamannan and Blackridge, the Fund has recently increased its bursary levels in the light of inflation and the cost of living crisis. The Fund has also extended support to all ages seeking to complete their driving test – often crucial in accessing further training, jobs, local services and leisure activities.
To find out more about the Fund, its eligibility criteria and how to apply, check out the BMET Fund website page. The new BMET Outreach Worker Judith Fisher is also ready to help – give her a call on 07923400570 or drop-in to one of her regular sessions in the area.