The University supports assistant staff to increase their vocational skills and get qualifications relevant to their work. This helps departments and the University have skilled staff and plan better for the future.
Apprenticeships
The main way of providing vocational training is through apprenticeships. This is for new and current staff who want to grow in their careers.
It is likely that the vocational qualification you want to do will be part of an Apprenticeship Standard at the appropriate level. Before applying to the vocational training budget, check with your manager and/or Learning and Development to see if there is a suitable apprenticeship.
If you do an apprenticeship, full funding for the agreed qualification is available through the Apprenticeship Levy (Apprenticeships website).
If an apprenticeship is not right for you, there may be funding available from the vocational training budget.
Vocational training budget
For external courses used to develop skills relevant to your job.
Check if you can get financial help for the course:
- Is the course accredited?*
- Does it lead to a qualification up to the revised NVQ Level 5 on the National Qualification Framework (gov.uk) (NVQ5 is broadly equivalent to Higher National Certificate or Diploma)?
- Is the qualification directly relevant to your job?
- Is it supported by your department?
If the answer to all the above questions is yes then the vocational training budget may be able to help.
Learning and Development approves funding, up to a maximum of £800 per person, per year. If the course costs more, your department will need to pay the rest.
How to apply to the vocational training budget
If the course is provided by the University Biomedical Services (UBS) e.g. their Institute of Animal Technology Level 2 and 3 courses, contact UBS directly, as they have some vocational training funding available. For all other applications:
- Contact your manager or departmental administrator to get their support.
- Complete the application form (MS Forms).
- Learning and Development will tell you the decision about funding.
*Note that the Finance Training section within the Finance Division offers accredited vocational training including AAT qualifications.
Other funding for training
Academic-related staff in the Unified Administrative Service may apply for funding from the AGAT fund (Advisory Group on Administrative Training).
Learning and Development does not offer any other funding for external training.
For other training funding questions, please talk to your line manager and department.