With delivery of the Goole Town Deal programme now at an advanced stage, local businesses and individuals are being urged to seize the opportunity to apply for grant funding towards the cost of securing training, employment and business opportunities.

Opportunity Goole, one of eight strategic projects funded by Goole Town Deal to help boost the local economy, is currently accepting applications for grant funding from its Flexible Grant Scheme, which will close to new applications later this year. To be eligible for a grant, applicants must be able to demonstrate that they will use it help to boost the local economy, either by giving people access to training and job opportunities or helping businesses to grow.

Individuals applying for grants can be in employment or self-employment and earning less than £25,000 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.

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.

The Flexible Grant Scheme was established to plug a gap in existing funding provision, by providing financial support to those who are not currently eligible for other forms of funding. When applicants first meet with one of Opportunity Goole’s friendly Personal Advisors, checks will be made to determine whether an alternative source of funding is available to them and, if it is, they will signposted to that instead. This is one of the conditions that must  be met for a grant to be awarded, as is the need to demonstrate that the funding will benefit Goole.

Among the individuals who have already successfully applied for funding are Belinda Frere, who used her grant to study for a Level 3 Diploma in Supporting Teaching and Learning at First Avenue Training in Goole. 

Belinda explained: “I’d wanted to do this course for quite some time but didn’t start it as I wasn’t sure I could afford it. When I heard about Opportunity Goole and got the funding, I started the course straight away. 

“I already had my Level 2 qualification so wanted to gain more knowledge and understanding to help me in my current job role. The course also covers Special Educational Needs, which I would like to do further training in. I’m very happy in my current job role but am currently on a fixed term contract, so I’m hoping that doing the course in my own time will help me secure a permanent position in the role that I absolutely love.”

She added: “It was quick and easy to apply for the funding, and Opportunity Goole has helped me achieve my goals. Both Opportunity Goole and First Avenue Training were so helpful; I would definitely recommend them both. They’re amazing for helping people succeed in what they want to do.”

Earlier this year, local business Helm & Ransome Construction Ltd was awarded £10,000 towards the cost of buying an excavator and a further £6,500 to pay for four members of its team to complete their Class 2 Heavy Goods Vehicle training.

Director Scott Ransome explained: “I first met the Opportunity Goole team last year when they helped us to get two of our employees onto an apprenticeship course. More recently we decided to submit an application to help us pay for a new excavator and training for our team to be able to drive a grab wagon to transport waste away when we’re working on highway and pathway projects. Being able to do this ourselves makes us more competitive and also helps us secure contracts that we wouldn’t have been able to go for previously.”

Anyone who would like to apply for funding from the Flexible Grant Scheme, or find out more, is asked to email the Opportunity Goole team at: opportunity.goole@eastriding.gov.uk or visit them at Goole Library.

• The Opportunity Goole team is currently working with schools in the Goole area to help inspire young people and open their eyes to the wealth of different career paths and job opportunities available to them. They’re on the look out for local businesses that may be interested in supporting them, by providing work experience opportunities for young people; getting involved in things like mentoring, mock interviews and careers days; or simply chatting with young people about their own area of work. If you’d like to play your part, please pop in to see the friendly team at Goole Library, visit the website or send them an email at the above address.