Barrhill Education & Training Fund

About this fund

This fund aims to improve the opportunities and livelihoods of people living in Barrhill Community Council area by providing bursaries. These grants aim to help people access training and education opportunities that better equip them with the range of skills needed to enter or retain employment.  The fund is provided by Barrhill Community Interest Company, using funds from ScottishPower Renewables and the Kilgallioch Community Benefit Company linked to the Mark Hill and Kilgallioch windfarms. 

Purpose of this fund

The purpose of the Barrhill Education & Training Fund is to improve the opportunities and livelihoods of people living in the fund area.  

The education or training opportunity may be long-term (one year or more) or shorter (1 day or even less, or taught over a period of weeks or months), full time or part time. The level of grant will depend on the course the applicant wants to do and other funding available to them.  

For short courses under a year, an applicant can apply for all or part of the course fee or associated costs, with a maximum grant of £1,000. 

For courses of one year or longer (termed ‘multi-year’), the fund can offer a maximum of £1,000 per year for up to three years. 

The overall maximum award (combining fees and other costs) for all courses is capped at £3,000.

The grant can be used to support course fees where these cannot be met from other sources, and the fund may also assist with the cost of equipment, travel, childcare and subsistence (see list below). Evidence of how costs have been calculated will be required. 

Awards to part-time students will be calculated on a pro-rata full-time equivalent, depending on the costs sought.  

Participation in a wide range of courses can be funded (full or part-time), including Modern Apprenticeships, Foundation Apprenticeships, NC, HNC, HND, undergraduate degrees, post-graduate qualifications and short vocational courses.   

Awards can support costs that are directly related to attending your course or apprenticeship, including: 

• Course fees, but only where these costs cannot be waived or funded through any other means 

• Study aids and equipment e.g., laptops, software, stationery up to a maximum of £500 

• Technical aids/equipment e.g., specialist clothing relating to the course, tools, other specialist equipment. 

• Travel and subsistence costs e.g., bus, train or petrol, meals etc. 

• Accommodation costs

• Childcare costs to allow you to study

• Driving lessons and driving practical or theory tests (including driving qualifications related to employment such as contribution to HGV licence, construction cards or trailer test) capped at £1,000 in total, with no return to the Fund for a second award.

Additional criteria

• Opportunities leading to formal / recognised qualifications (and with SVQ ratings) will be favoured, however other courses will also be considered where the applicant can demonstrate how the skills and knowledge gained will realistically support them in securing or retaining a job or in setting up their own business.
• Offer letters from employers/colleges should be submitted as part of the application. 
• Those receiving bursaries will be expected to provide a written summary of the skills and knowledge they have gained as a result.

Who can apply?

Applicants for bursaries:

• Must be individuals resident in Barrhill aged 16 or over

• Applying for a further education or training course to develop your skills and opportunities. The course can be at college, university or with a reputable training provider. Normally you should apply before your course starts, but if your course is for one year or longer, you may apply if you have already started

• Apprentices can apply for costs that cannot be claimed back from their employer or another source.

• You can apply if you are still at school but attending a college course for some of the week. However, you're only eligible to apply for costs not covered by your school, the college, the Council or other sources (see 'Useful Links' below).

Repeat applicants: Individuals may apply for support from the Education and Training sub-fund more than once, with the exception of driving lessons, which are only eligible to be applied for once. Applicants will be expected to provide a strong rationale for further funding, for example, progression. The Board of Barrhill CIC reserves the right to award repeat applicants at a lower amount than requested. 

Employed applicants: The Fund will accept applications from individuals currently employed. Depending on the costs being sought, applicants may be asked to discuss why their current employer can't/won't contribute to training costs. 

What can’t be funded?

Costs that are already covered by a school, college, the Council or other body - we expect University and college students to have explored funding available from Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS - see 'Useful Links' below).  

You cannot apply courses or costs associated with courses that you have already finished

We will not fund training or equipment that your employer should be providing for you, or that is necessary for you to carry out your current job.

Apprentices cannot apply for any cost that can be claimed back from their employer or another source.

Private tuition providing additional support to the school curriculum cannot be funded.

How are decisions made?

Foundation Scotland reviews your application and may get in touch with you if there's anything that needs clarified. We then take the application to the Board of Barrhill CIC who make the decisions on awards. You can read more about Barrhill CIC at www.bcic.org.uk