Our vision is to ensure that young people from all backgrounds can access our life-changing programmes. As highlighted in our report: Championing difference for a better workforce, we need to widen participation in our programmes and tackle barriers faced by young people to enable them to take part in our competitions. To break down some of these barriers we have launched our Competitor Support. The Fund will help cover essential costs for those who need it, including but not restricted to travel, equipment and clothing, care responsibilities and staff cover costs for small and medium-sized employers.
The Fund will provide a contribution towards the cost of taking part in our on-site National Qualifiers (national qualifiers that are online or taking place remotely are exempt from this Fund), and the National Finals. This includes:
• Travel to a maximum of £75
• Day-care for dependents to the maximum of £100
• Costs to small- and medium-sized employers to a maximum of £100
• Equipment and clothes required for the competition to a maximum of £50
Applications for support needs not listed above will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Applications
Before making an application, please read the guidance notes here
If you are eligible and would benefit from this support, please complete an application form. Please note, applications can be made by an individual or, by their organisation on their behalf
Applications can be made for support to take part in an on-site national qualifier and again if a competitor successfully reaches the National Finals. National qualifiers that are taking place online or remotely are exempt from this Fund.
Applications can be submitted once a competitor has received written confirmation of their place at a National Qualifier or at the National Finals.
To ensure all those that are eligible to apply for funding are able to do so, applications can be made up to 4 weeks after the end of the National Qualifier or the National Finals stages.
Therefore, the final deadline for applications for support for National Qualifiers is 5pm on 31 July 2023.
The final deadline for applications for support for the National Finals is 5pm on 15 December 2023.
Any applications made outside this period will not be considered.
National Finals Travel Bursary
Please note, if you do not qualify for this fund you may be able to get support at the national finals stage via Nationals Finals Travel Bursary, information about this will be provided to all those who make it through to the national finals stage.
Recipients of the Competitor Support Fund will not be eligible to apply for the National Finals Travel Bursary
Notification of outcome of applications
Applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application three weeks from the date of submission. If the application is approved the applicant will be contacted in order to supply bank account details to process the payment.
As a publicly funded organisation WorldSkills UK must meet strict auditing requirements so no grant can be paid without a fully-completed application form. Please remember to keep receipts as proof of purchase. If funds have been paid before attendance at a National Qualifier or the National Finals and the competitor fails to attend and take part, we will request that monies are repaid back to us. WorldSkills UK reserves the right to withdraw the offer of a grant or refuse payment if insufficient information is submitted or if the fund allocation has been reached.
We’re delighted to be able to offer this funding to support equality of access for competitors who need it. This will help make our life-changing programmes even more inclusive and encourage more young people from all backgrounds to enter and take part.
