Welsh graduate employment scheme GO Wales has extended the Training and Development Fund available to small businesses in Wales, in a move to support the development of higher level skills and the retention of graduate workers in the Welsh economy.
The funding has been made available to companies that want to up-skill a graduate member of staff, which could subsequently add value to a business.
Eligible businesses can claim 50 per cent towards the cost of studying for a recognised qualification; up to £1,500 per graduate employee and £8,500 in total.
The Graduate Training and Development fund has been running as part of the wider GO Wales project for three years and will continue until 2014.
Rory Wilson, Director of Catalina Architecture based in Aberystwyth, undertook a Postgraduate Diploma in ‘Conservation of the Historic Environment’ after securing the Graduate Training and Development Fund;
“The knowledge and skills I gained on the course have enabled my business to make appropriate introductions to new clients, whose specific requirements relate to historic building conservation” said Rory.
“As a result of my course and the confidence shown by potential clients in the business, we have taken on an additional part-time member of staff,” he added.
GO Wales aim to make sure that small businesses are making the most of their graduate employees, by taking advantage of opportunities like this.
“The aim of the Graduate Training and Development Fund is to up-skill individuals and small to medium sized businesses in Wales, by providing high level training in key areas, which will develop and aid retention of graduate level skills in the Welsh economy,” said Jackie Cresswell-Griffith, the Programme Manager at GO Wales.
