Q: Can organisations submit multiple bids or smaller bids across different areas?
A: Yes. The preference is for key partners within a geographic area to collaborate on a single application demonstrating strong local partnerships, but applicants can participate in multiple proposals if they clearly justify their involvement and partnership arrangements.
Q: What proportion of a project budget can be allocated to ongoing research into changing skills needs?
A: Applicants are responsible for proposing how they would designate the funds. The primary objective of the fund is to develop a skilled localised workforce so research expenditure should be proportionate and justified.
Q: Must skills analysis be undertaken by an external consultant?
A: No. Applicants may use in-house expertise and available data. External support can be used where helpful, but it is not required. Applicants should explain how they will use quantitative and qualitative data to determine skills gaps and shortages and how they will continue to monitor these throughout the project, so they can ensure their programme is responsive to industry need.
Q: How should employability outcomes be evidenced?
A: Meaningful work is defined as 840 hours of work within one year of training ending. Applicants should provide a credible plan for tracking outcomes and may also use measures such as participant satisfaction, confidence, and case studies to demonstrate impact.
Q: Can FE or HE course fees be counted as cash or in-kind contributions?
A: No. Mainstream FE and HE course fees relate to ongoing activity and cannot be counted towards this National Lottery-funded programme. Tutor CPD or specialist industry-led modules may be included in your programme where they complement existing provision.
Q: Can examples of successful previous bids be shared?
A: No. Applications are treated as confidential and cannot be shared by the funder. Applicants may contact existing funded clusters directly to ask whether they are willing to share information about their proposals.
Q: Have the fund guidelines changed since previous funding rounds?
A: Yes. Greater emphasis has been placed on evidence-led planning, workforce retention and upskilling existing workers, alongside supporting new entrants. Definitions and guidance have also been clarified based on learning from earlier funding rounds.
Q: Can applicants build on activities previously supported through other funding programmes?
A: Yes. Applicants are encouraged to use learning and evidence from previous programmes. However, proposals should not simply replicate existing activity and should demonstrate new or enhanced approaches.
Q: Would a shared workforce measurement approach across different regions be viewed favourably?
A: The funder does not prescribe a preferred approach. Research has shown that localised approaches work best to address skills gaps and shortages and so we expect applications to reflect this.
Q: Does partnering with local councils strengthen a bid?
A: Local authority involvement can be beneficial where it supports local ambitions and workforce development priorities, but it is not a requirement. Any impact of local government reorganisation would be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Q: Can projects focus on sectors such as games and interactive media?
A: The main purpose of the fund is to support below the line skills development for scripted film and television production. Related sectors such as games and interactive media may be included where they provide transferable skills relevant to film and television.
Q: Can applicants ask questions while developing their proposals?
A: Yes. Applicants can contact the programme team with technical questions about the guidelines and process. However, specific feedback on individual proposals cannot be provided before submission.
Q: Can National Lottery funding be used to support existing core activity?
A: No. National Lottery funding is intended for new, time-limited project activity and should not be used as core funding for existing programmes.