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AS OF 31 DECEMBER 2023, ALL EUROPEAN PROGRAMMES HAVE FINISHED.

European Social Fund (ESF) is available from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) until the Autumn of 2023.  Saffron Academy Limited, working in partnership with the Learning Partnership for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, can offer this ESF funding to SMEs in the Hospitality, Leisure, Travel, Tourism and Retail sectors, operating in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, via the Smarter Skills for Tourism Futures programme.

Saffron Academy Limited is currently working with four different European Social Fund programmes

  • Smarter Skills for Tourism Futures: aims to upskills individuals working within SME’s in Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly.
  • Flourish: aims to upskills individuals who earn £19k or less to increase their earning power.
  • Skills Lab: a business led development programme which will include business forums, workshops and bespoke opportunities for businesses.
  • Skills Store: aims to upskill individuals working within SME’s in Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly.

SME eligibility criteria 

  • Definition of an SME – The category of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is made up of enterprises which employ fewer than 250 persons and which have an annual turnover not exceeding EUR 50 million, and/or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding EUR 43 million.
  • The SME is registered with Companies House and operating within the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly area.  The SMEs registered office can be out of county.
  • The SME must be able to provide the amount of De Minimis (state aid) received by the company/organisation over the last 3 fiscal years, if they have have been in receipt of previous EU funding.

ESF eligibility criteria for an individual wanting to access EU funded training activity

The individual will need to provide evidence to support their right to live and work in the UK.  To do this the individual will need to provide an original document for one of the following items;

  • Full British Birth Certificate
  • British Adoption Certificate
  • Full British Passport
  • Full Passport (Non-European Economic Area) which includes a work/residency permit/visa stamp (unexpired) with all related conditions met
  • Full Passport (European Economic Area) together with settled status or pre settled status granted under the EU settlement scheme (EUSS)
  • Identity Card issued by the Home Office confirming your right to stay, work or study in the UK
  • A letter from the UK Immigration and Nationality Directorate or the Home Office granting indefinite leave to remain or with no time limit on your stay
  • A marriage or civil partnership certificate, if your partner has the legal right to live in the UK and this can be evidenced.

The individual must provide evidence of their employment status by providing one of the following items;

  • Latest payslip
  • Employment Contract
  • Correspondence from their employer
  • Copy of Redundancy Consultation or Notice (at risk of redundancy only)

Assessment of Literacy and Numeracy skills

Part of the funding criteria also requires an assessment of the individuals current level of Literacy and Numeracy skills. The individual will be asked to complete an online quiz, consisting of 10 questions, to be completed prior to the funded training activity taking place. The assessment is for baseline information only.  Additional training in Literacy and Numeracy can be accessed if the individual wishes to improve their current level of knowledge and skills in either area.