Large Employers Flexible Skills Programme

If you are using this scheme to provide awards of subsidy, you must inform the Subsidy Control Unit – email: scu@gov.wales.

Wales

Large Employers Flexible Skills Programme

Government of Wales Act 2006, Section 60 (1)

Our mission is, through the administering of a flexible training grant, to empower Large, Wales-based, Employers to upskill their workforces in order to drive enhanced productivity, efficiency, and profitability while delivering lasting economic benefit to the nation.

This will provide greater degrees of support and cooperation between Welsh Government and Large enterprises (as defined in the Companies Act 2006).

Through the administration of a flexible training grant, Wales-based Large enterprises will be able to access funding which will empower them to upskill their workforces, driving enhanced productivity, efficiency, and profitability while delivering lasting economic benefit to the nation.

Funding will be available to employers operating in the vast majority of industries across Wales. The operations carried out by the business must be legal and acceptable to the Welsh Ministers.

Funding awards are discretionary and the final decision on eligibility rests with the Welsh Government.

Private and third sector Large enterprises, based in any area of Wales, are eligible to apply for support under the Scheme. Companies may operate in any industry sector, so long as it is legal and in line with Welsh Government Ministerial priorities at the time of application for support.

A standard intervention rate of 50% will apply to all employers / enterprises, regardless of size, with a maximum award of £3,000,000 per employer over the course of 3 consecutive financial years. Each application for support under this scheme will be considered on its own merits but will take into account the overall cost and quality of the training to be supported.

Welsh Government

The subsidy may be applied for by private and third-sector employers operating in any sector and any part of Wales, that wish to upskill their employees in both technical and non-technical areas. They must be Large enterprises, as defined in the Companies Act 2006.

• Accommodation and food service activities
• Administrative and support service activities
• Agriculture, forestry and fishing
• Arts, entertainment and recreation
• Construction
• Education
• Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply
• Financial and insurance activities
• Human health and social work activities
• Information and communication
• Manufacturing
• Other service activities
• Professional, scientific and technical activities
• Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities

23 February 2026 to 23 February 2031.

The total maximum budget over the life of the scheme is £25,000,000.

Direct grant

Any enterprise applying for support must be based in Wales, solvent and must commit to release staff to undertake the requested training.

There is no requirement to use any particular training company – the applicant may choose any certified training provider – but any supported training under this scheme must either be accredited or to a recognised industry standard.

Awards are made at a 50/50 compensation ratio with the involved company, up to a maximum of £3,000,000 per employer over the course of 3 consecutive financial years.

There is a maximum of £3,000,000 per employer over the course of 3 consecutive financial years.

For more information about applying for support under this scheme, please contact the Flexible Skills team at: dfesrm@gov.wales

For more information about this scheme’s compliance with the Subsidy Control Act 2022, please contact: