Employer Funding

Discover funding options available to help evolve your business and workforce. Get support for recruitment, training, and continuing professional development.

Available in East Lothian, Edinburgh, Fife, Midlothian, Scottish Borders and West Lothian.

  • Search by Area

Modern, Graduate and Foundation Apprenticeship funding and information

Skills Development Scotland (SDS) contributes to the costs of training and assessing Modern Apprentices. In most cases they pay the learning provider you choose to deliver the apprenticeship. Graduate Apprenticeships are fully funded degree-level training suitable for new and existing Employees. With Foundation Apprentices, there’s no cost to your business as the apprentice is still at school.

Modern, Graduate and Foundation Apprenticeship funding and information

Standard Innovation Voucher

This opportunity is open to all small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), social enterprises and third sector organisations in Scotland. Edinburgh College is keen to develop partnerships with businesses across all sectors to support innovation that will benefit the company and the Scottish economy.

The value of a Standard Innovation Voucher is up to £5,000, which covers the academic project costs.

Standard Innovation Voucher

Edinburgh’s Employer Recruitment Incentives

Employers from all sectors can apply and there is no restriction on the size of employer, but priority is given to private SMEs and third sector organisations including social enterprises. You can receive up to £8000 for creating new jobs or apprenticeships.

Edinburgh’s Employer Recruitment Incentives

West Lothian Employer Offer

Partnership support for West Lothian businesses including funding. Find out what’s available.

West Lothian Employer Offer

Flexible Workforce Development Fund

The Flexible Workforce Development Fund is available to all employers across Scotland, including small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The fund supports businesses in Scotland to upskill and reskill employees.

Flexible Workforce Development Fund

Employer-led academy support

The Recruitment and Skills Centre network supports businesses with the development and implementation of their own sector-led academies. Through a consultancy offering, the team can help businesses identify training centre growth opportunities, talent attraction strategies, partner facilitation and funding.

Employer-led academy support

Data Skills Credits for Employers

Data Skills Credits are funding of between £500 and £5,000 towards the cost of data related training, for organisations with a workforce in South East Scotland.

Data Skills Credits fund training offered by further and higher education institutions and other training providers. You can apply for up to £500 per employee, for a maximum of 10 employees.

Applications where training is already identified are welcome. You can also get support to find the right training provider for your needs. Not currently open to applications.

Data Skills Credits for Employers

IEE Employer Fund

The Integrated Employer Engagement (IEE) Employer Fund is a small grant fund of £500-£1,000 per business. The fund is small businesses support for job growth, stability or creation.

It was available across the Edinburgh and South East Scotland region, however applications for 2023 are now closed.

IEE Employer Fund