Harthill, Eastfield and Greenrigg (HEG) Education & Training Fund
| Grant size | Up to £3,300 |
| Area |
North Lanarkshire
West Lothian
|
| Key dates | Applications can be submitted at any time. |
About this fund
The Harthill Education and Training Fund was set up in 2021 and following positive feedback from recipients on the benefits of an award the Fund continues to operate in 2024. Please visit this page regularly for updates on the Fund.
The Harthill, Eastfield and Greenrigg (HEG) Education & Training Fund benefits those living in Harthill and Eastfield in North Lanarkshire and Greenrigg in West Lothian. The Education & Training Fund is a scheme that is part of the main HEG Community Fund provided by the owners of the Torrance and Torrance Extension wind farms.
Purpose of this fund
The fund provides grants to help local people with vocational education and training opportunities using local training facilities and contribute to creating job opportunities in the local area.
The course may be long term (a year or more) or shorter (1 day or even less, or taught over a period of weeks or months). The level of grant will depend on the course you want to do and your own situation.
For short courses under a year (part time or full time), you can apply for fees and the cost of travel, childcare and subsistence, based on £15 per day. The maximum award is £1,500.
For full time courses of one year or longer, the Fund can offer the following maximum awards:
| Course | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 |
| Modern Apprenticeship | £1,500 | £900 | £200 (day-release) |
| NC, HNC, HND, Degree | £1,500 | £900 | £900 (full-time) |
| Other | up to £1,500 | up to £900 | Up to £900 |
For part time courses of one year or longer, you can apply for fees and the cost of travel, childcare and subsistence, based on £5 per day. You can also apply for up to £600 for equipment in year one.
Please note that offers for courses for Years 2 and 3 of multi-year courses will be provisional on the continuation of the Fund.
By providing these grants the Fund aims to encourage and support local people to improve their skills and life chances. We believe that committing community money in this way can help motivate and inspire people to aim higher and achieve more.
Additional criteria
You can be taking part in any training course or studying any subject in the following sectors:
- Renewables & energy related.
- Engineering, construction, health and safety, other STEM related.
- Industries which will benefit local employment including childcare, forestry, plumbing, joinery, electrician, other trades related, haulage, agriculture. Also generic courses that enhance employability.
- Other education courses.
Who can apply?
You can apply, if:
- You are an individual aged 16 and over
- You live in Harthill, Eastfield or Greenrigg
- You are doing (or applying to do) a further education or training course to develop your skills and employability.
If you are currently employed and want to progress in your employment or explore new career options you can apply to the fund. However we may ask, that your employer contributes up to 50% of the course fee.
What can’t be funded?
Costs that are already covered by a school, college, the council or a trade association or similar.
Grants are normally limited to one grant per person each year. Exceptions may be considered if there are strong reasons to apply again, such as to progress through a training path or because you are exploring different career options. Funds are limited and the intention is for as many people to benefit from it as possible.
How are decisions made?
Complete the online application form, and provide any supporting documentation required, to Foundation Scotland. We may get in touch to discuss your application before making a decision.
If you are successful, Foundation Scotland will email you a Grant Offer which you need to accept by email. We also request that you email us a copy of a recent bank statement or pay-in slip to verify your bank details.
Frequently asked questions
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What can I apply for?
Your course may be an Apprenticeship/NC/HNC/HND or a shorter course taking place over a few days or weeks. The most important thing is that you live in one of the above areas and really want to improve your skills and qualifications.
Here are some examples:
Joe has had a few labouring jobs since leaving school but nothing long-term. Now he’s seen an ad for agency driving jobs but needs a 1-week class-2 HGV licence.
Jacqui has only had occasional casual work so far. She’s been applying for bar jobs but feels she’d have more chance of an interview if she had the 1-day personal licence qualification.
Dave’s being made redundant next month. He’s heard of a warehouse job… all he needs is a 3-day fork-lift ticket.
Margaret worked in admin before starting her family. She needs to update her computer skills at evening classes to help her get back to work.
Shirley is keen to find work now her children are all at school. She’s been accepted for the HND in Childhood Practice and hopes this will help her on a path towards becoming a Teaching Assistant.
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Can I apply if I’m still at school?
If you are still at school but attending a college course for some of the week, you are only eligible to apply for costs that are not covered by your school, the college or the council.
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What can I use the money for?
An award towards short-course fees must be used for that purpose, and may be paid directly to the training provider.
You can use awards for equipment or subsistence towards anything that will help you attend your further education or training course, such as:
Travel; meals; childcare; study aids (e.g. laptop, software, stationery); technical aids (e.g. specialist clothing related to the course, tools, textbooks, other specialist equipment)
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My family help support me. Can I still apply?
Yes, the fund does not apply a personal ‘means test’.
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I receive other support. Can I still apply?
Yes, but we do ask for details of other grants, bursaries, etc. If we receive more applications than the Fund can support we may use this information to help us make the fairest decision.
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Does it matter where the course is taking place?
No, but we’d like to encourage applicants to use local training facilities if they are providing preferred courses and training opportunities. Local providers and/or useful contacts include places like:
New College Lanarkshire - www.nclanarkshire.ac.uk
West Lothian College - www.west-lothian.ac.uk
SRUC Oatridge Agricultural College - https://ww1.sruc.ac.uk/courses-training/campuses/sruc-oatridge-west-lothian/
Sibbald Training - www.sibbaldtraining.com
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How will I get the money?
If you are successful, Foundation Scotland will email you a Grant Offer which you need to accept by email.
Where the grant is contributing to course fees, Foundation Scotland can pay the college or training provider directly. For other costs we will pay the grant directly into your bank account. We request that you email us a copy of a recent bank statement or pay-in slip to verify your bank details.
For courses lasting a year or longer we will pay the grant in instalments and you will need to complete a form at the end of each term signed by someone from your college confirming you have been attending regularly. If you are offered a grant but do not have a bank account, we will work with you to find a solution to ensure you can still benefit from the grant.
How to apply
Applications are submitted online using the link below. You will need:
- A working email account that you can access - to set up an online portal account through which applications are submitted online.
- A recent bank statement - because we often need to check account details are correct before we can pay out a grant. A scanned or photographed or electronic copy will need to be uploaded during the application process.
- Evidence of your home address - this could include a driving licence, SAAS letter or a bill (for example for your mobile phone). Any official letter (for example from the Scottish Exam Board, school correspondence, NHS appointment letters, tax letters or a payslip). If you are at college or university, they may be able to provide something suitable.
If you would like to review the questions you will be asked to answer before starting the form, you can see them here.
If you have any problems applying online or setting up your portal, please email grants@foundationscotland.org.uk or call 0131 524 0300 (during office hours) and we will be pleased to help.
If you have already started an application and not completed it, please login here to resume.
Applications can be received at any time but applications must be received before the course starts. Please allow up to four weeks for your application to be processed before your course starts. We may contact you to discuss your application and clarify any issues. If you need a decision more quickly, we will do our best to process your application immediately but cannot guarantee doing this.
Contact information
Central Systems Support
Mary Travers, Community Funds Adviser
Useful Links
Careers advice and training course listings are available from Skills Development Scotland (SDS)
Information about other potential sources of funding:
- Individual Training Accounts which can offer £200 towards the costs of some courses.
- Prince's Trust Development Awards can offer grants to some individuals aged 16-30.
- Turn2us Grants offer a range of grants.
- SAAS offer a range of grants and loans for individuals on University or some College courses.
Bus passes: