Applications open for Personal Learning Account Fund (UK)

Deadline: 15-Oct-2026

The Personal Learning Account Fund supports individuals aged 16 and over in the Causeway Coast and Glens area to gain new skills, qualifications, and training that can improve their employment prospects or support career progression. The fund addresses local labour market challenges by helping residents overcome financial barriers to employability-related upskilling.

About the Personal Learning Account Fund

The Personal Learning Account Fund is designed to improve employability outcomes and strengthen local labour market conditions across the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council area. The fund helps individuals access relevant training and qualifications that can: - Improve employment prospects. - Develop new skills. - Support career progression. - Address skills gaps. - Help individuals become more competitive in the labour market. The funding is available to people who are unemployed, economically inactive, or currently employed, provided they face a financial barrier to undertaking relevant training. Funding Available Applicants can receive a maximum grant of £500, covering up to 100% of eligible costs.

Key funding details include:

- Maximum grant: £500

- Eligible costs covered: Up to 100%

- Match funding: Not required

- Funding allocation: Based on merit and value for money

- Additional training costs: Applicants must explain how they will cover any amount above £500

Funding is awarded through a competitive process, so submitting an application does not guarantee funding. What Does the Grant Cover? The Personal Learning Account Fund can cover costs directly associated with eligible training, upskilling, qualifications, and accreditation.

Eligible costs include:

- Teaching costs. - Training costs. - Assessment costs. - Awarding body fees. - Examination fees. - Training materials. - Other directly associated eligible costs related to the approved course. What Does the Grant Not Cover? The fund does not support every type of education or training expense.

Funding is not available for:

- Travel costs. - Accommodation. - ICT equipment. - University degree programmes. - Postgraduate qualifications. - Courses that are not accredited or industry recognised. - Retrospective expenditure incurred before an application is approved. Applicants should ensure that their proposed course meets the fund’s eligibility requirements before applying. Who Can Apply? Applicants must meet the following requirements: - Be 16 years of age or older. - Have their main residence in the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council area. - Have the legal right to work in the UK. - Be unemployed, economically inactive, or employed. - Face a financial barrier to accessing relevant upskilling or training. The fund is therefore open to both people seeking employment and those already working who need additional skills or qualifications to progress their careers. Special Requirements for Applicants Under 18 Applicants under the age of 18 can access the fund, but a parent or guardian must submit and accept the grant on their behalf. The parent or guardian must also provide their bank details for payment of the grant. Application Requirements Applications must be submitted before the course start date. Applicants should not begin the training or incur expenditure before submitting their application, as retrospective expenditure is not eligible. Where the total cost of training exceeds the £500 maximum grant, applicants must explain how they intend to meet the remaining cost. How Are Applications Assessed? The Personal Learning Account Fund operates through a competitive application process. Funding decisions are based on factors including: - The merits of the proposed training. - The potential contribution to employability or career progression. - Value for money. - The applicant’s circumstances and financial barrier to accessing training. Because funding is competitive, eligible applicants are not automatically guaranteed an award. How Can the Fund Help Individuals? The Personal Learning Account Fund can provide practical support for people who need additional skills but cannot easily afford relevant training. By helping cover course, assessment, examination, accreditation, and training material costs, the fund can enable individuals to gain recognised skills that may improve their employment opportunities or support progression in their existing careers. Key Details at a Glance

- Grant: Up to £500

- Coverage: Up to 100% of eligible costs

- Minimum age: 16 years

- Location: Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council area

- Employment status: Unemployed, economically inactive, or employed

- Match funding: Not required

- Training: Must be accredited or industry recognised

- Application timing: Before the course starts

- Retrospective costs: Not eligible

- Funding basis: Competitive, merit and value for money

- UK work requirement: Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK

Frequently Asked Questions What is the Personal Learning Account Fund? The Personal Learning Account Fund provides financial support for eligible individuals aged 16 and over in the Causeway Coast and Glens area to undertake employability-related training, upskilling, qualifications, and accreditation. How much funding can I receive? The maximum grant available is £500, covering up to 100% of eligible costs. Is match funding required? No. Applicants are not required to provide match funding. However, if the training costs more than £500, applicants must explain how they will cover the additional cost. Who is eligible to apply? People aged 16 or over who normally reside in the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council area and have the legal right to work in the UK can apply. Applicants may be unemployed, economically inactive, or employed, but must face a financial barrier to upskilling. Can employed people apply? Yes. The fund is open to people who are currently employed as well as those who are unemployed or economically