Apprenticeship, Bursary & Training Funds
To support the Strategic priority of 'More Younger People Wanting to Stay and/or Come Back to Shetland' SCBF are launching an Apprenticeship Support Scheme for small Businesses, a Bursary support scheme for young people studying locally and a training support fund. For the purposes of all funds, young people are categorised as those up to the age of 25.
Bursary Fund Information
The Bursary fund is open to any young person up to the age of 25 who lives in Shetland and is undertaking either, a college or university course at UHI Shetland or an apprenticeship in Shetland. You can apply for support towards the following expenses;
- Course fees
- Travel costs
- Accommodation when attending course/apprenticeship
- Equipment required to study
Apply online
Bursary applicant resources
Guidelines for Bursary Funding
Bursary Fund FAQs
The bursary fund closes on 31st of July 2025
Video clips for each section
- Section 1 - Contact Details
Play SCBF Bursary Fund Guidance (Section 1) on Vimeo - Section 2 - Course Details
Play SCBF Bursary Fund Guidance (Section 2) on Vimeo - Section 3 - Referee Details
Play SCBF Bursary Fund Guidance (Section 3) on Vimeo - Section 4 - Documents required
Play SCBF Bursary Fund Guidance (Section 4) on Vimeo
Training Fund Information
The training fund is open to any young person up to the age of 25 who lives in Shetland and would like to undertake a one-off training course to enhance their employability skills. Financial support towards the following expenses incurred as part of an accredited training course can be applied for:
- Course fees
- Travel costs
- Overnight accommodation when attending course
- Equipment required for the course, i.e. textbooks
This fund is not for full-time students or apprentices.
In the first instance please contact us before booking any courses.
Training fund applicant resources
Training Fund Application Form (Please note: This application is for the Training Fund only. To apply for the Bursary Fund, please use the link above.)
Apprenticeship Support for Small Businesses
The apprenticeship support for small business is open to any small business (15 employees or less) who are looking to employ an apprentice under the age of 25. Financial support will be available for costs involved in employing the apprentice, such as a contribution towards the apprentice’s wages, travel and accommodation, specialist workwear, etc.
The fund is primarily aimed at businesses employing an apprentice this year and perhaps for the first time with financial support available across years 1 to 3 of the apprenticeship. However, we appreciate that the funding wasn’t previously available, and the fund can therefore also accept applications from small businesses who already have an apprentice employed. The maximum amount of financial support available across years 1 to 3 of the apprenticeship is £15,000 and we would ask businesses applying who have a year 2 apprentice for example, to take a pro-rated approach to their funding request. As a funder, we are unable to support retrospective funding, i.e. paying for any costs already incurred.
To apply and for further information please see below our application form and guidance notes.
Apprenticeship support for small businesses applicant resources
Application form for Small Businesses Apprenticeship Funding
Applications are currently closed.
