Firms urged to apply for digital training funding before deadline falls

Digital businesses across Greater Manchester and Lancashire are being urged to take up funding to help train prospective new staff in digital skills before the offer closes later this month.

The deadline for bids to the Fast Track Digital Workforce Fund (FTDWF) is January 31.

To ensure the opportunity is not overlooked, Wigan Council is hosting a business breakfast event next week to engage with businesses who could benefit from the support

Wigan Council leader, Cllr David Molyneux, said: “Developing digital skills and building on the success of GM’s technology industry is a key part of both the city region’s industrial strategy and Deal 2030.

“This funding opportunity is a great way to develop invaluable skills in the workforce and set your business up for future growth.

“We’re encouraging firms to attend this information event so that we can link you up with relevant partner organisations to help give you the best chance of securing a slice of the funding.”

The FTDWF is a £3m joint venture between the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), Lancashire Digital Skills Partnership (LDSP) and Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

It was rolled out last year to help employers address digital skills gaps by providing short, innovative and bespoke training courses to help successful candidates in new roles.

Individual firms are expected to submit bids in partnership with training providers, colleges or other community or charity organisations.

A first round of funding was announced last year with the current process the final chance to apply for a share of the funding.

Information on eligibility and how to develop these ‘consortia’ style applications will be provided at the breakfast information event, held on January 17, at The Edge conference centre in Wigan, from 7.30-10am, which will provide firms with all the information and advice needed to submit a bid.

The grants will be awarded by the end of March, with all the training delivered by the end of 2020.