Forestry training fund…

[scrumbag]

Seems odd they dated yours and others to be taken by the end of March 24, hopefully they’ll sort it out.

I don't think they are quite joined up in their thinking yet.

I applied for a grant on 22nd and got awarded it on morning of 28th September. With my application I gave course name, provider (Plumpton) and date of course.

On 28th I received award from the Forestry Training Fund at 08:46 and at 16:42 I received an email from Plumpton saying Well done on getting a grant, fill out booking form. So the provider knew I had a grant but either didn't know which course and date or had all the info but didn't act on it.

Other thing I found. I had a previous grant (Again I applied with specific course, provider and date of course)and the provider changed the date of the course and it was slightly outside the "training delivery period" but the provider sorted it out with the Forestry fund, no dramas.

Scrummy

 

[wytonpjs]

Seems odd they dated yours and others to be taken by the end of March 24, hopefully they’ll sort it out.

Government funding runs on annuality and the Financial Year ends on 31 March! I doubt they will extend, hence the conditions of the grant and if you cannot use it in the Financial Year, I strongly suspect it will be offered to others who can.

 

[wytonpjs]

Got approved for funding very smooth process! any one else manage to get funding?

Secured funding (like others to be used in FY 23/24), came to book it with the training provider (the RAU) as outlined on my application only to discover that the RAU is closing its Rural Skills Centre in November and that courses will not start from the RAU itself until FY 24/25, ie outside of my grant. A quick email exchange with the Training Fund got the go ahead to use another training provider and thankfully, the courses I want to do are fairly common and industry standard but my elation on getting a grant was abruptly curtailed by the training provider's email! Don't count your chickens until.................

 

[Trickyd66]

I got approved for funding, very quickly. Amazing service.

However, it has to be used before 31st March 2024 and BDS are not running that course until April 2024. I've requested an extension from Forestry Funding, but not heard back yet. I understand that there is a lot of demand. Many will be disappointed I fear. I may be one of them........Perhaps I can apply in the next round?

Odd as at the time it said the course could be up until April 2025. Although applications are now closed, the website still states the same?

 

[lksopener1]

Got funding for DSC2 in the last round and EFAW+F in this round.

Have a pending application for the DMC as well but yet to hear on that one.

 

[Terrydeer]

Seems now closed for this round unless you want to do the instructor courses, fully allocated in less than a week, which shows a great demand

 

[Sat Rat]

I was very fortunate and I have been award a grant towards my DSC1,.

 

[Chris Garland Training]

Hi.

As per my reply in the other Forest Commission grant thread...

For reference/clarity, the FC grant scheme is closed for all grant applications for FY2023-2024 & FY2024-2025, for all courses except "Instructor & Safety Courses". These being:

• Instructional Techniques - Lantra certificated
• First Aid at work +F (This is the 3 day first aid course and the +F elements)
• First Aid at Work +F Bolt-on (This is a 2-3 hour course for those with an existing in-date first aid certificate)
• Emergency First Aid at Work +F (This is the 1 day first aid course and the +F elements)

So if you need to do a +F first aid course to get on a permission, the grant scheme is still (just about) open for grant applications, but you'll need to be quick if you want to apply for a grant.

Hope that helps.

Chris

 

[J.kerslake]

Has any one been asked to pay a 50% deposit for a course they’re booked on to? Specifically dsc1. The training provider has just emailed me asking for a 50% refundable deposit in case I cancel… I get it but I don’t have £200 hanging out of my back pocket!

 

[scrumbag]

Has any one been asked to pay a 50% deposit for a course they’re booked on to? Specifically dsc1. The training provider has just emailed me asking for a 50% refundable deposit in case I cancel… I get it but I don’t have £200 hanging out of my back pocket!

I think since you’re not the funding source you should not pay it. I would advise you write back to the training provider and tell them to try the forestry grant people

 

[Chris Garland Training]

I think since you’re not the funding source you should not pay it. I would advise you write back to the training provider and tell them to try the forestry grant people

Not an unreasonable suggestion, but as a training provider, we claim for the payment of the funding at the end of the month that the course ran. So if you do pull out, we've had a place that couldn't be sold and we're out of pocket. I guess the 50% deposit makes the candidate more likely to attend and gives the trainer confidence that they will be paid for that course place.

 

[User00057]

I just got an email saying my funding was available for my DSC2. Gutted as paid for it myself in the end. Sadly they do t offer reimbursement

 

[J.kerslake]

I just got an email saying my funding was available for my DSC2. Gutted as paid for it myself in the end. Sadly they do t offer reimbursement

Yeah I’ve just had an email confirming my funding for dsc2 as well…I need to re sit one of the papers on dsc1 first

 

[Trickyd66]

I just got an email saying my funding was available for my DSC2. Gutted as paid for it myself in the end. Sadly they do t offer reimbursement

Ditto for funding for DSC1 which I still want to complete. Didn't waste any time, confirmed course details and availability with the BDS and responed to email witin a couple of hours. Fingers crossed

 

[J.kerslake]

@wytonpjs I’m as shocked as you are (presumably about failing dsc1) it was one of the ‘general’ type questions I failed on, and I’d put money on it being about shedding or calving dates!

 

[25 Sharps]

Yeah I’ve just had an email confirming my funding for dsc2 as well…I need to re sit one of the papers on dsc1 first

Need to talk to you on this as fancy doing my level 2. Remind me tomorrow when we’re out.

 

[SimpleSimon]

I had an email today as well, I wanted to do a BDS Deer Management course. Unfortunately no dates are available for that course anymore, so I might miss out unless BDS can confirm when there's another course coming up. Failing that, might see if they'll fund my DSC2 registration instead...

 

[wytonpjs]

I had an email today as well, I wanted to do a BDS Deer Management course. Unfortunately no dates are available for that course anymore, so I might miss out unless BDS can confirm when there's another course coming up. Failing that, might see if they'll fund my DSC2 registration instead...

Forgive me but the natural progression is DSC1, experience, DSC2, consolidation and then the DMC. If you are adamant about doing it in your order, try Jelen as they may be able to offer a course too.

 

[Trickyd66]

Happy days, grant approved and DSC1 booked.

 

[wytonpjs]

Just received this from the training provider who did my 3 chainsaw courses earlier this year under last year's grant allocation. Explains the call-up of those on the reserve lists but dangles the carrot of new applications being considered in the Summer

Forestry Training Grant to Re-Open​

Additional funding has been allocated to the Forestry and Arboriculture Training Fund (FATF) for the 2024/25 financial year. As a result, the FATF will reopen for new applications over the summer period.

Applicants who have previously missed out on funding due to high demand and were placed ‘on hold’ will be given an ‘early bird’ opportunity, to book courses for training to be undertaken in 2024/25, in mid-June 2024

The Forestry and Arboriculture Training Fund currently remains closed for new applications. Greenway Training will send a further update in due course to confirm when the fund will re-open for new applications. If you are not yet on our training programme mailing list, but would like to receive notifications of courses and grants, please Sign up to receive updates by email

The Forestry Commission will welcome applications from:

• people who would like to take a step towards a career in forestry
• people currently working in other land-based sectors (such as agriculture) who would like to broaden their skill base
• people wanting to switch careers and need to develop skills to get them started
• people currently working in forestry who would like to develop their skills

Funding is available to those applicants who work and operate in England.

What types of courses qualify for funding?

The fund continues to support a range of accredited training courses including safe use of tools, plant and machinery operation, pest control, woodland and forestry management. However, the list of eligible courses available for new applications for 2024/25 has been reduced by the Forestry Commission to prioritise those that will result in an accreditation and/or a qualification.

We will be publishing our new events programme this week. In the mean time you can view Our Courses for training in this financial year here.


List of courses eligible for Grant Funding offered by Greenway Training

The Forestry Commission have stipulated in their T&Cs that ‘No prior commitment to any Training Provider should be undertaken prior to the grant award being confirmed. Any training that has been committed to prior to the grant approval date may not be eligible for grant support.’