Funding

Implementing a management system aligned to the ISO standards does have an initial cost. While the long-term benefits of ISO, such as increased business and profit, outweigh this, it can nonetheless be difficult for companies to afford the initial outlay. 

This is particularly true for smaller businesses, those looking to grow into new markets or become an approved supplier. However, there are grants available that allow businesses of all sizes to achieve certification. These can cover up to 50% of the cost.

GRANTS AVAILABLE

Grants / funding have been available for many years however, due to the current state of the economy, they are becoming harder to understand and, quite frankly, harder to obtain. However, Clear Quality are here to take the pain away and support you through the process step by step. To  date, our team have supported multiple businesses nationally to obtain funding towards the cost of implementing a controlled management system aligned to the requirements of ISO standards and upskilling their workforce saving them thousands of pounds. The money saved allowed business owners to invest in new machinery, equipment, people, tools etc that ultimately supported the growth of their business.

GOVERNMENT GRANTS

Government grants are the most common form of funding to support business improvements. Business Link (a government initiative for the support of growing businesses) gave help to hundreds of SMEs looking to grow by embedding a controlled management system. However, they ceased operation in October 2012. Nonetheless, the service wasn’t completely halted; the telephone service was maintained, and the information relocated to the gov.uk website. You can now find business support information, including those about grants and loans there.

Since then, local enterprise services have replaced Business Link. Grants can now be accessed through award schemes, such as those offered by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS), or through local councils.

Many national organisations will offer grants and support to allow you to achieve certification with ISO including training for your workforce. These include specific industry departments such as the Department of Trade and Industry, Department for Education. Your eligibility will vary according to the scope of services in which your company operates.

ELIGIBILITY

In order to obtain a grant, your business must be eligible. Some specialist grants will have particular requirements, such as being a non-for-profit organisation. Some organisations will specifically offer grants for businesses concerned with environmental, sustainability, aviation, desire to up skill their workforce etc. However, standard eligibility normally depends on three factors:

The industry in which you work
Your business’s size
Your location
These will vary according to the organisation who are offering the grant. The best way to understand eligibility is to contact the body or company directly or speak with our team at Clear Quality.

Grants are generally offered to SMEs as it is widely recognised that these businesses not only need the most support in order to obtain certifications as a pre-requisite and require training for their workforce, they will also see the most positive return on investment.

Contact our team today at info@clearquality.co.uk so we can discuss your needs and where possible access funding towards your projects.

FUNDING FOR APPRENTICESHIPS

Apprenticeships are an excellent way to upskill your workforce, and funding is available to make them more accessible.

What is the Apprenticeship Levy?

The levy is a tax that employers with an annual wage bill of more than £3 million must pay, this money is then given back to employers to spend on Apprenticeship training. The companies who are non-levy have access to the levy but must contribute 5% of course cost (this is the ‘employer contribution’) Apprenticeship Levy is an amount paid at a rate of 0.5% of an employer’s annual pay bill.

As an employer, you must pay Apprenticeship Levy each month if you:
• have an annual pay bill of more than £3 million
• are connected to any companies or charities for ‘Employment Allowance’ purposes and have a combined annual pay bill of more than £3 million

How much funding can I get if I don’t pay the levy or if I run out of levy funds?
If you don't pay the apprenticeship levy, or if you're a levy-paying employer but don't have enough funds, you'll need to pay 5% of the training and assessment costs for your apprentice. The government will cover the rest, up to the funding band maximum.

How is my employer contribution paid?
The employer contribution can either be paid monthly, or in a lump sum 42 days after the delegates start date.

FUNDING FOR SKILLS BOOTCAMPS

Skills Bootcamps are short, flexible training programmes designed to address specific industry skills gaps. These programmes are often heavily subsidised by the government dependant on location.

Clear Quality's Skills Bootcamps Offer:

• Specialised training in Quality Management or leadership development
• Practical skills aligned with industry needs.
• Accessible to both businesses and individuals.

Supported by York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, Greater Lincolnshire LEP, and East Midlands Combined County Authority.

The Skills Bootcamps are 90% funded for SME’s and 70% funded for large organisations. 

These bootcamps not only empower your team with essential skills but also position your business as an industry leader.

GET STARTED WITH CLEAR QUALITY

Understanding and securing funding shouldn't be a barrier to achieving growth. 

Contact our team today at info@clearquality.co.uk to discuss your funding options and start your journey towards growing your business.