Details of grants available to businesses as part of Scotland’s refreshed strategic approach to suppressing coronavirus (COVID-19) have been published.

From 2 November, firms that are required by law to close will be eligible for grants every four weeks for as long as the restrictions last. Based on rateable values, awards will be for either £2,000 or £3,000.

Businesses which can remain open, but are directly constrained by the measures, will be eligible for grants worth £1,400 or £2,100, again based on rateable value.

This support is in addition to the UK Government’s revised furlough scheme launching on 1 November.

Hardship Fund for Creative Freelancers – Opens 26th October

What is this fund for?

To support creative freelancers working in Scotland who are experiencing immediate financial hardship due to the loss of income as a result of COVID-19.

The funds offer a one-off monetary contribution to those who are most deeply impacted and disadvantaged by the cancellation of work as a result of the emergency situation.

Funds are finite and a high level of demand is expected. The funders ask that only those in real need apply.

There is £5m allocated towards this programme. Bursaries can be requested for any sum from £500 – £2000. If you have specific access needs, then you may request more than this.

Who can apply?

These funds are to support freelance creative professionals working in the arts and creative sector in Scotland who are experiencing immediate financial difficulty due to the loss of income as a result of COVID-19.

These roles include those whose work has direct creative outcomes as well as those in supporting roles whose work directly supports the making and presentation of creative work.

All applicants must be based in Scotland and must be able to demonstrate they were working and making income as a freelance creative professional before lockdown began (in March 2020).

How does the application process work?

To apply, you will need to do the following:

• All applicants must register on the Creative Scotland online application portal. The application portal link – https://www.creativescotland.com/funding/funding-programmes/hardship-fund-for-creative-freelancers – will be available at midday on Monday 26 October 2020
• You will need to set up a temporary application account
• After email verification you will be asked for further contact details and to select your role from a drop-down list of eligible roles.
• Depending on the information received you will be given a Unique Reference Number and told which of the funding partners you should complete your application with

Find out more here.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is working in partnership with Business Gateway to deliver the Young Company Capital Grant Investment Scheme. The scheme will provide grant funding of up to 50% of the costs for capital equipment for start-up or young companies (less than five years old), up to a total of £50,000. A higher grant may be considered if the situation is considered exceptional. 

WHAT CAN THE FUNDING BE USED FOR?

The funding can be used for the purchase of any type of capital equipment, for example:

·         physical adaptations to workplaces in response to COVID-19

·         equipment to enable staff to work from home

·         manufacturing equipment including automation and robotics

·         office equipment and furnishings

·         tools and machining equipment.

WHO'S ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?

·         Only SME’s with a UK registered address and evidence of economic activity in the Highlands and Islands region can apply.

·         Unincorporated forms of business ownership e.g. sole trader, partnership, limited partnership and incorporated legal forms of business ownership such as limited companies, companies limited by guarantee, community interest companies, limited liability partnership are eligible to apply.

·         The applicant must be a start-up business; or young businesses/social enterprise less than five years old.

You can download further guidance on the scheme here. 

HOW DO I APPLY?

·         Applicants who wish to apply should email enquiries@hient.co.uk for further information and an application pack.

·         Once you have completed your application, please return it by email to enquiries@hient.co.uk

·         The deadline for applications to be submitted is 12 noon on 23 October 2020. 

Please note, this scheme is NOT operating on a first come first served basis - applications will only be assessed by HIE staff after the application deadline date.

You should hear about the outcome of your application by mid November 2020.

If you would like to talk to someone about the process or your application, please email enquiries@hient.co.uk and let HIE know how to contact you.

READ MORE 

Applications due by 5pm, Saturday 19 October 2020

APPLY HERE

Craft Scotland has an exciting opportunity for 3-4 makers, curators and craft industry professionals to join its Advisory Group.

The Advisory Group advises the Craft Scotland team and Board twice yearly on new developments and more. The Advisory Group is separate from our Board and members participate on a voluntary basis for a two-year term.

Craft Scotland is keen to have as broad a representation of the sector as possible the group will be representative of lived experiences, gender, disciplines/practice and geographical spread.

Applications due by 5pm, Friday 2 October 2020

APPLY HERE

MAKE and Craft Scotland are looking for researcher(s) to work on a research paper for MAKE | Learn, a new project focusing on craft education in Scotland.

MAKE | Learn is designed to strengthen Scotland’s craft sector, raise the profile of Scotland’s craft sector and develop engagement with Scotland’s craft sector by a diverse audience and user group.

This work is expected to take place from November 2020 – June 2021. Please read the full information pack before applying (link opens PDF).

The Scottish government has updated its guidance for manufacturing businesses.

The guidance sets out the Scottish Government’s expectations on the steps manufacturing businesses will take before and after reopening. It is provided as guidance only and does not amount to legal advice. Businesses may wish to seek their own advice to ensure compliance with all legal requirements.

The guidance is available here.

Businesses affected by the temporary measures in place in Aberdeen will be able to access grants of up to £1,500 and includes £100,000 of discretionary support for sectors not required to close by the regulations. The fund will be administered by Aberdeen City Council.

Small and medium sized businesses will have access to grants of up to £5,000 to help them access new technology as well as professional, legal, financial or other advice to help them get back on track.

Grants will be available to help businesses access specialist professional advice such as HR, accountancy, legal, financial, IT and digital, and to purchase minor equipment to adapt or adopt new technology in order to continue to deliver business activity or diversify.

The grants will be administered by the Growth Hubs run by your Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

Find your local LEP here.

UKFT and Textiles Scotland are establishing a joint steering group for textile, leather and apparel skills in Scotland to review existing Scottish Vocational Qualifications and develop new ones.

UKFT led a review of the Manufacturing Textiles Products; Footwear, Leather Production and Leathergoods; and Manufacturing Sewn Products National Occupations Standards (NOS) suites earlier this year, which have now have been approved and published on the NOS portal.

UKFT has now been commissioned by Skills Development Scotland to review the existing SVQs in Manufacturing Textile Products, Leather Production at SCQF Level 5 and create for the very first time in Scotland a brand new SVQ in Manufacturing Sewn Products at SCQF Level 5 that will offer training for sewing machinists, sewing alteration hands, materials cutters, tape sealers, pressers and other related roles.

Help shape the Scottish skills landscape in our industry

UKFT would like to hear from Scottish stakeholders in the relevant sectors including employers, organisations, training providers and individual specialists to contribute to the review.

Work will begin from September and with current Covid-19 restrictions, there will be a more imaginative approach to consulting which will include more online discussion and virtual meetings to cut down travel time.

If you are interested and want to get involved, please contact john.west@ukft.org

UKFT is the government-appointed Sector Skills Body for UK fashion and textiles, working to ensure the skills and productivity of people working in our industry of the highest level.

Last year UKFT led a review of the Manufacturing Textiles Products and Manufacturing Sewn Products National Occupations Standards (NOS) suites. The reviewed suits have now have been approved and published on the NOS portal.

John West, Director of Skills and Training at UKFT, said: “Thank you to everyone who contributed to the successful reviews, which will be the benchmark for all training provision in these areas for the next five years.”

UKFT put together national steering groups for the sector areas which reviewed, informed and updated the current competencies needed to carry out the manufacturing process for the industry. This will upskill the workforce and ensure the UK remains competitive against global competition in these vital areas.

The groups included representatives from leading employers and stakeholders in Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland including O’Neills, Hunter Apparel Solutions, Mulberry, John Smedley, Melin Tregwynt, Lochcarron, British Footwear Association, John Lewis, Barrie Knitwear, First Corporate Clothing, Schuh, House of Bluebell, Alex Begg, Bute Fabrics, Johnstons of Elgin, Bow Leather and Muirhead.

To view the new Standards please visit https://www.ukstandards.org.uk/EN and search under the Business Sectors (Suite) tab.