Opportunity Goole grant scheme now open to applications from individuals and employers

To be eligible for a share of the funding, which has been made available via Goole Town Deal, applicants must be able to demonstrate that their grant will help to boost the local economy by giving people access to training or job opportunities, or helping businesses to grow.

Individuals applying for grants can either be in employment or self-employment and earning less than £20,319 per annum; in training; or unemployed. They can apply for grants of up to £10,000 to pay for anything from transport costs to help them access training or employment opportunities; training or learning resources to boost their career prospects; or tools and personal protective equipment to help them secure work. Each application will be assessed individually to check that it meets the eligibility criteria and the Opportunity Goole team will identify whether there’s anything else available that could help.

Businesses, charities and voluntary sector organisations can apply for grants of up to £25,000 to help them cover the cost of diversification projects that will fuel their growth; invest in new digital equipment or measures to improve their current processes; or pay for staff training. Again, each application will be considered on its own merit for eligibility, and the Opportunity Goole team will also determine is there’s any other support available.

Local resident Corey Brown (24) is the first person to receive a grant from the fund and is using it to access some specialist training that will set him on his chosen career path.

A delighted Corey said: “I really wanted to go into something that I will enjoy and I know there are job opportunities for gas engineers, but I’d previously struggled to get into it and felt stuck in a rut.

“I decided to apply to Opportunity Goole to see if I could get a grant to pay for my gas engineering training. It was really easy to apply; Linda from the Opportunity Goole team helped me with my application. I’d encourage others to do the same.”

Corey added: “I’d already looked at apprenticeships and other grants schemes but nothing was available for me, so this grant from Opportunity Goole is helping me get a step closer to where I want to be. I recently started my course and am really enjoying it so far.”

Councillor Anne Handley, Leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “Since its launch last year, Opportunity Goole has already supported more than 150 individuals and 15 businesses. The new Flexible Grant Scheme fills a gap in existing grant provision and the criteria is broad to ensure that the team can support as many local people to access training, job and business opportunities as possible. This is very much about boosting the prospects of local individuals and businesses and, in turn, boosting the local economy.”

“Even if you’re unsure whether you’d be eligible to apply, it’s well worth having an informal chat with the Opportunity Goole team to talk your ideas through. Members of the friendly team will be more than happy to guide eligible applicants through the application process.”

Andrew Percy, MP for Goole and Brigg, said: “"We were very clear as a Town Deal Board that we wanted to create specific funding to help Goole residents access further training and support, and this is exactly what this grant fund does. Alongside our other projects, Opportunity Goole exists to help Goole workers and businesses access new opportunities by undertaking training and up-skilling. All of this supports the Government's ambition for Town Deal Funds, which is to improve the economic wellbeing of the town and its residents."

Anyone who would like to apply for a grant, or find out more, is asked to email the team at: opportunity.goole@eastriding.gov.uk or visit them at Goole Library.

One of eight projects funded by Goole Town Deal, Opportunity Goole provides easy access to information about local job opportunities, training provision, business support and more to anyone over the age of 16 years, regardless of whether they’re employed, unemployed or retired. The team’s role is to help local individuals gain the knowledge and skills that they need to secure employment, and ensure that employers can recruit local people with the skillset that they’re looking for.

For more information about Opportunity Goole and the other projects funded by Goole Town Deal, visit www.gooletowndeal.co.uk.