GET FUNDING TO TRAIN AND LEARN

Financial barriers can make it difficult to learn new skills or get the job you want. The King’s Trust Development Awards can help you overcome these barriers and achieve your goals.

WHAT ARE DEVELOPMENT AWARDS?

Development Awards are small grants for young people who need financial support to access education, employment, training, or structured volunteering.

The amount of each award depends on your unique needs, future career goals, and personal development plans. Awards are available from £10 right up to a maximum of £500.

If you’re aged 16 to 30 and not currently working or in education, you could be eligible.

WHAT CAN A DEVELOPMENT AWARD COVER?

A Development Award can cover costs up to £500 for course fees or expenses related to joining a course or starting work. Here are some examples of costs we can cover, but there are many other possibilities:

• Tools, equipment, or uniforms for a job or training: for example, safety clothing and a toolkit needed for a construction course
• Clothes for a job interview
• Accredited course fees up to level 3 (A-level equivalent): this includes any course type between entry level and level 3 listed on the government website
• Job licence fees and IDs: for example, an enhanced DBS check, a CSCS card (for construction work), or an SIA licence (for security work)
• Transport to a new job until you receive your first month’s pay
• Childcare while you are training: the childcare provider must be registered and inspected by the relevant regulator or statutory body for childcare in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland
• Technology you need for training: for example, access to WiFi to complete an online course

WHAT CAN’T A DEVELOPMENT AWARD COVER?

Unfortunately, we can’t cover general living costs or items that don’t directly help you join a course or start a new job. Here are some examples of what we can’t support:

• Living expenses: for example, rent or bills. See these other organisations that may be able to help.
• Business start-up costs: if you’re starting a business, check out our Enterprise programme.
• Items already paid for
• Gap year or overseas projects
• Accredited course fees at level 4 or above: see these other organisations that may be able to support.

ELIGIBILITY FOR DEVELOPMENT AWARDS

To be eligible, you must:

• Be aged 16 to 30 and living in the UK in an area where awards are available
• If aged 16 to 17, no longer be in compulsory education
• If aged 18 to 30, work less than 16 hours per week or be in education less than 14 hours per week
• Have secured an interview, a new job, a place at college, or a volunteering placement
• Face a financial barrier to making that opportunity happen

If you think you are eligible and a Development Award could cover your costs, find out how to apply. Awards are available only in certain UK locations.

TIMESCALES

It can take 6 to 8 weeks to process your application, so try to apply at least 8 weeks before your payment is due. We can’t pay you back costs after you’ve already paid.

AMOUNTS GRANTED

Development Awards are available from £10 up to a maximum of £500. But when we are able to provide an award, the amount granted will depend on your needs and circumstances. The average amount granted is £200.

APPLY FOR A DEVELOPMENT AWARD

If you need support with costs that our Development Award can cover and you could be eligible, find out your next steps by CLICKING HERE or visit: https://www.kingstrust.org.uk/how-we-can-help/get-funding-train-learn/how-to-apply