Our event programme covers a lot of ground in the key skills that you need to run your creative business, but we also recognise that there are a lot of brilliant courses and training opportunities out there already that might be just what you’re looking for. You can apply to this scheme for up to 90% of the cost of a skills development opportunity.
There are two sides to our skills development scheme: we run regular group workshops on practical skills that will help you grow your business – this includes business planning, marketing, finance and more. When you sign up to be a Cultivator client, we will ask about any skills gaps you may have, and we will keep you informed when relevant workshops become available. Once you are a Cultivator client, you can keep your Creative Business Advisor informed about any new skills development needs.
You can also apply to our individual Skills Development Grant of up to £1000 to develop your creative or business skills, and you will find out more about this below.
We can support skills development opportunities by awarding clients up to £1000 + a contribution towards Travel & Childcare expenses if required. Please note that due to restrictions from our funders, we can only support you in accessing face-to-face/in-person courses and training provision that is delivered in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly. Online courses and training provision can be sourced from providers anywhere in the world.
The content of your skills development course can be anything from a course provided by an established organisation, to tailored one-to-one sessions with a specialist. You can apply for courses or training which develop your practice, your business, or you yourself – but any course you apply for needs to provide a tangible benefit to the operation and future development of your business.
Previously, clients have applied to develop creative skills such as improving techniques associated with their practice, attending project management and partnership working courses for developing their business strategically, or participating in self-development courses to help them overcome personal issues such as anxiety around public speaking.
Applying for a Skills Development Grant is a competitive process. Even if you are eligible to apply and your advisor has given you their support, there’s no guarantee of success. However, working closely with your Cultivator advisor on your application will strengthen your case.
Although the Skills Development Grant is open to all our clients, the availability is limited. It is important to speak to your Creative Business Advisor to identify if it’s the most suitable way forward for you and if it is the right time.
The highest financial value of a Skills Development Grant is £1,000. We can also cover your expenses such as travel and childcare within reason. However, we won’t be able to cover any costs incurred by your training provider. They will need to factor in any expenses in the initial quote for their services.
We appreciate that Covid-19 has had a significant financial effect on some of the clients that we work with so have decided to temporarily offer 100% of the cost of the skills development opportunity up to the value of £1000. This decision will be reassessed in June 2021.
Applications to the Skills Development Fund will be assessed on a rolling basis. We will try to get back to you within two weeks of you submitting your application. The grant panel aims to process the application in five working days – but please allow for two weeks in your proposed activity schedule to account for staff leave/busier times of year.
You can apply for more than one skills development grant, but in this case, the £1000 award limit must be split between your applications. For example, if you were awarded a grant of £600 for a training opportunity then you could apply to this scheme again at a later date for a grant to cover costs up to the remaining £400.
It is advised that you discuss any applications you make to this scheme with your Creative Business Advisor.
