This year Skills Development Scotland (SDS) will fund 10,000 training accounts. Once this target is met the fund will close.
Update (20 February 2020) - The fund is now closed.
We will let you know when it reopens.
ITAs are available to help you develop skills for work. If you meet the eligibility criteria you can get up to £200 towards a single training course or training episode a year. And because it’s not a loan, you don’t need to pay the money back.
What can I use an ITA for?
You will find an ITA most useful for smaller courses which cost around £200. This can include online courses, individual units from SVQs or Professional Development Awards like PDA Health and Social Care Supervision at SCQF level 7.
Courses need to be approved by SDS and you can view the current list of approved courses at https://www.myworldofwork.co.uk/learn-and-train/sds-individual-training-accounts-ita
If you can’t find a suitable course, try contacting a college or training centre for advice about what’s available near you.
If you’re a training provider interested in offering an approved course you should read the ITA Operational Rules https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/media/43695/operational-rules.pdf
Am I eligible?
ITA funding could be right for you if you're:
- aged 16 or over
- not in education or involved in any other SDS funded programme
- employed and earning less than £22,000 per year
- resident in Scotland.
You don’t need to be in work to apply. You might find an ITA useful if you want to develop knowledge and skills before applying for jobs in social services.
Is the ITA useful for SVQs and other qualifications for registration?
You can put £200 from an ITA towards the cost of a full qualification, like an SVQ. However, there are other funding options available which may be better suited. You should find out if you are eligible for these before applying for the ITA.
- Part Time Fee Grant from Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) – you would apply for this with support from your training provider. SVQs at SCQF levels 7, 9 and 10, HNCs (part time) and some PDAs can attract funding. Download the new Part Time Fee Grant for Social Service and Healthcare Qualifications leaflet.
- Apprenticeship funding from SDS – if you need to complete an SVQ you could ask your training provider if they can offer you an apprenticeship. Funding is available for all ages, though rates will vary. If you don’t have a training provider yet, ask your employer to help you find one which is also registered as a Modern Apprenticeship Centre.
- Funding for full time study is different. If you’re doing a full time course you’ll get advice at the institution you’re studying at about what’s available.
We’ve got more information about funding in our careers website’s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Read the FAQs at https://learn.sssc.uk.com/careers/faqs/
If you have a question that isn’t answered in our FAQs you can contact careersincare@sssc.uk.com
Looking for funding for a larger course?
Read our Part Time Fee Grant for social service and healthcare qualifications article.