The Solent Freeport Business Growth Skills Grant is designed to help ambitious small businesses overcome skills barriers and seize new growth opportunities.
Grants of £500 to £5,000 are available to support training for existing employees, helping businesses develop the skills needed to improve productivity, adopt new technologies, win contracts, enter new markets, and grow sustainably.
Eligibility Criteria
– Employ fewer than 50 people
– Been trading for at least 12 months
– Have their main trading address in Eastleigh, Fareham, Gosport, Havant, the Isle of Wight, New Forest, Portsmouth, or Southampton local authority areas
– Businesses must operate within one of Solent Freeport’s priority sectors: Advanced Manufacturing, Maritime, Aerospace, Space, Digital Technologies, Life Sciences, Defence or Clean Energy
Support can be used for a wide range of training linked directly to business growth, including technical and engineering skills, digital, and software capabilities, AI and data, leadership and management, project management, export and commercial skills, quality and compliance, clean energy technologies, and other specialist business skills.
Funding covers direct training costs only and cannot be used for equipment purchases, staff salaries, or associated travel and accommodation costs.
Applicant Guidance Notes
Skills-Grant-Applicant-Guidance-Notes
Apply now
Once you have read the guidance which sets out the eligibility criteria and application process, eligible businesses can submit an application below
If you have any questions please email info@solentfreeport.com