Grant and funding support for businesses

This grant supports capital and non-capital costs for businesses making investments in advanced wireless technologies, or to help focus on the development of strategies for using 5G and other digital improvements.

Eligibility criteria for the Digital Grant

• one plus years trading/high growth potential
• At least one additional employee (evidence of being on pay-roll – not a sub-contractor)
• £90,000 plus turnover (or VAT threshold plus)
• Most recent annual accounts – no more than 12 months old
• pay the Real Living Wage
• operate in key sectors:
• • Food and drink/tourism and hospitality
  • Engineering and manufacturing
  • Construction
  • Health and Social Care
  • Renewables (including Net Zero supply chain)
  • Retail and digital

• Must engage in Net Zero initiatives

Conditions are:

• one project per business at a time, must finish within three months
• project evaluated and tangible impacts measured before a new project can be started

The grant can support private and third sector employers with a grant of up to £5,000 towards the costs of recruiting and employing an East Ayrshire resident who meets eligibility criteria. The funding can be used to recruit an employee for a new job or a modern apprenticeship and can cover a range of costs such as wages, training and travel.

This grant is funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. 

Eligible jobs will:

• offer a minimum of 26 weeks employment/52 weeks apprenticeship
• guarantee a minimum of 16 hours per week
• provide a contract of employment
• ensure employees are paid at National Minimum/Living Wage or preferably at the Real Living Wage rate

Eligibility criteria for the Recruitment Incentive grant

Eligibility criteria:

• the employer needs to be a small to medium sized enterprise based in East Ayrshire
• employers who hold Employee Liability Insurance
• the employee must be 25 years and over (excluding the Modern Apprentice (MA) programme) currently not in employment, education or training
• the employee must fall into one or more of the participants barriers
  • above 54 years of age
  • armed forces veteran
  • asylum seekers
  • care experienced/care leaver
  • criminal convictions
  • disability
  • employed status affected by coronavirus (COVID-19)
  • from employment deprived area (SIMD)
  • homeless or affected by housing exclusion
  • living in a jobless household
  • long term unemployed
  • long term physical illness / condition
  • low income employed
  • low skilled
  • material deprivation
  • mental health issues
  • migrant with a foreign background
  • no or limited work experience
  • primary carer of an older person
  • refugee
  • rural
  • substance related conditions
  • under 25 years of age (relates to MA only)
  • underemployed

How employers can apply

A maximum of three applications per employer per year can be made. Please contact employability@east-ayrshire.gov.uk on how to apply. 

The Ayrshire Skills Investment Fund (ASIF) is an Ayrshire Growth Deal revenue project aiming to address skills gaps across the region and will support key growth sectors and priority groups to deliver regional, inclusive, economic growth.

This fund helps businesses boost productivity by developing the skills people need now and in the future, contributing to delivering a regional economy.

Employers can apply for up to £1,800 per person.

Eligibility criteria for the Ayrshire Skills Investment Fund

Employers and must meet the criteria set out to target priority sectors and priority groups.

Applications supporting skills development within the following priority sectors are invited:

• engineering
• digital
• visitor economy
• clean growth

These sectors may change as other priorities emerge.

The following priority groups have been identified using the Ayrshire Inclusive Growth Diagnostic:

• young people
• females
• people with long term health conditions
• people in low paid employment

How to apply for an ASIF grant

The first round of the fund opened on 23 October 2023. Further funding rounds will be available on a rolling programme.

Employers can contact fairworkayrshire@north-ayrshire.gov.uk for more details or support completing the form.

Apply for an Ayrshire Skills Investment Fund Grant