Free or subsidised online and in-person training in advanced manufacturing topics such as 3D printing, robotics and AI, for employed, self-employed and other learners in Lancashire.
Amount
Self-employed: fully funded. Employed: free to the learner, employer covers the cost. Small businesses: £360 per employee. Large organisations: £1,080 per employee. Prices exclude VAT.
Area
Cheshire and Warrington, Cumbria, Lancashire, Liverpool City RegionRating 7/10Local Landscape rating 7 out of 10
In-depth support for Lancashire businesses to integrate energy and sustainability management, including training, ISO standards guidance and environmental auditing.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
LancashireRating 6/10Local Landscape rating 6 out of 10
For all of North West England, or the whole North 2 schemes
Support for small and medium-sized manufacturing and engineering businesses in the North West to adopt industrial digital technologies, including expert guidance, match funding, digital interns and leadership training.
Amount
Up to £20,000
Deadline
Open all year
Area
North West EnglandRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
A funded programme for senior leaders and managers in SMEs, mixing online and face-to-face sessions on digital strategy, identifying priorities and where digital tools can help.
Amount
Described as funded; no amount stated.
Deadline
Next cohort: January 2027
Area
North West EnglandRating 7/10Local Landscape rating 7 out of 10
National schemes 39 schemes
Open to businesses across England or the UK, including Ribble Valley.
Share of up to £110 million from UKRI for UK registered organisations to deliver research and develop future leaders, for business and non-academic applicants.
Amount
£100,000 to £3,000,000
Deadline
Closes 4 November 2026 at 11am (3 days)
Area
United KingdomRating 9/10Local Landscape rating 9 out of 10
A Knowledge Transfer Partnership project in which a business partner works with a knowledge base on a specific strategic innovation project, supported by an Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Adviser. Grant contributions cover part of eligible project costs.
Amount
Innovate UK has committed a budget of £12.5 million for this round. Large companies may receive a grant contribution of up to 50% of eligible project costs; SMEs up to 67%.
Deadline
Closes 27 January 2027 at 11am
Area
United KingdomRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
Grants of up to £12,000 to enable hands-on collaboration between a skilled master and a talented apprentice looking to start a career in craft, supplementing the apprentice's wage.
Amount
Up to £12,000
Deadline
Closes 17 February 2027
Area
United KingdomRating 9/10Local Landscape rating 9 out of 10
Grants of £3,000 to £10,000 for early-stage craftspeople (typically practicing 4 years or less) to develop core skills and techniques through essential training.
Amount
£3,000 to £10,000
Deadline
Closes 17 February 2027
Area
United KingdomRating 9/10Local Landscape rating 9 out of 10
Grants of £3,000 to £18,000 for mid-career to established craftspeople to refine their craft, deepen specialism or innovate, plus a place on the Cockpit PDP.
Amount
£3,000 to £18,000
Deadline
Closes 17 February 2027
Area
United KingdomRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
DDepartment for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade
The UK Government has launched the Visa Fees Reimbursement Scheme for Scale Ups (VFRS4SU), a targeted grant scheme to help UK scale ups in Clean Energy, Life Sciences, and Digital and Technologies hire internationally by reimbursing eligible visa application fees for specialist hires and their de...
Amount
£5,000 to £25,000
Deadline
Closes 1 March 2027 at midnight
Area
United KingdomRating 10/10Local Landscape rating 10 out of 10
The People and Research Scheme offers grants for activities that help people understand and champion the historic environment through, engagement, skills, training, education and heritage project-based posts.
Amount
£250 to £300,000
Deadline
Closes 31 March 2027 at midnight
Area
EnglandRating 9/10Local Landscape rating 9 out of 10
A free, fully-funded programme providing tailored training, digital content, templates, events and 1:1 mentoring to help micro businesses, small businesses and VCSEs win public sector work and become Public Sector Supply Ready.
Amount
FREE to use
Deadline
Open all year
Area
United KingdomRating 9/10Local Landscape rating 9 out of 10
A membership community for directors and leaders, offering networking, learning resources, and advice services. Membership is open to aspiring directors and those with senior responsibilities, with different tiers available.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
United KingdomRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
AAdvisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas)
Acas offers free, impartial advice on employment rights, rules and best practice, free letters, forms and policy templates, help to resolve disputes without an employment tribunal, and courses and tailored support on employment topics. It is for employees and employers.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
England, Scotland, WalesRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
The Department for Education's online service listing training and employment schemes, such as apprenticeships, that help businesses recruit new staff and upskill existing employees.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
EnglandRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
A free online tool that gives organisations a personalised digital and AI readiness report on their workforce. Aimed at employers building workforce digital skills.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
United KingdomRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
A free set of advice, articles, lessons, toolkits, smart tools and training for business owners, from idea stage to growth. Users can go at their own pace.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
United KingdomRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
Membership of the TCoE, a not for profit, industry owned training company for textile manufacturers and associate companies with an interest in the sector, giving discounted services, grant support, and access to the manufacturing supply chain.
Amount
Full or Associate Membership. Fees are based on company size: £8 per full time employee per annum plus a £200 registration fee. Example: 10 staff would pay £280 per year, invoiced as four quarterly payments of £70 plus VAT. Associate Membership does not allow voting at the AGM.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
Open to all textile manufacturersRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
RISE Direct is a support service for organisations in the retrofit supply chain. After a self-assessment, businesses are matched with a RISE Direct Support Manager who provides a tailored support plan on retrofit readiness, procurement routes, partnerships and training.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
Not statedRating 7/10Local Landscape rating 7 out of 10
DDepartment for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade
The UK government's Business Growth Service gives free, impartial advice, expert-led training through the Business Academy, and personalised guides to one-to-one support, opportunities and funding, through Business.gov.uk and a network of partner organisations.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
United KingdomRating 9/10Local Landscape rating 9 out of 10
A free programme of training, events, insights and AI support designed to help small businesses grow and build resilience. It is open to all and run by HSBC UK.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
United KingdomRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10
Free online courses in digital, numeracy and soft skills, which employers can share with staff to upskill them. Aimed at people learning new skills or seeking work, and at employers.
Amount
Free
Deadline
Open all year
Area
EnglandRating 7/10Local Landscape rating 7 out of 10
AAdvisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas)
Impartial advice, guidance, training and conciliation for employers and employees on workplace issues such as redundancy, pay, contracts and dismissals.
Deadline
Open all year
Area
England, Scotland, WalesRating 8/10Local Landscape rating 8 out of 10