Young people are being offered grants of up to £1,000 to help cover the cost of vocational studies.
The Vocational Grants programme, run by the Wiltshire & Swindon Community Foundation, supports 14 to 24-year-olds in Wiltshire and Swindon who are studying or about to begin a vocational course or apprenticeship.
Funding is available to those on low incomes who are either in the care of Wiltshire Council or Swindon Borough Council, or who have lived in the area for at least two years and have parents or guardians receiving a means-tested benefit.
Further details on eligibility and how to apply can be found at https://www.wscf.org.uk/grants-and-support/individuals/vocational-support-grant/
Heather Kiel, programme director at the foundation, said: "Our Vocational Grants programme provides vital support to young people across Wiltshire and Swindon each year, helping them take their next steps.
"The programme supports young people as they pursue their vocational studies and access opportunities that may previously have felt out of reach.
"By easing some of the financial barriers to training and education, these grants can make a real difference.
"I would encourage anyone who feels they might be able to apply for this support to visit our website to find out more about the programme."
The grants can be used to cover the cost of course equipment, educational resources, IT devices, study trips, and in some cases, travel expenses.
Applicants must be aged between 14 and 24 and be studying or planning to study a vocational course at school, sixth form, or college.
The programme supported one student, Liam, with funding towards essentials for the Professional Cookery, Travel and Tourism, and Art courses he is studying at sixth form.
He said: "A vocational grant enabled me to purchase a laptop to help access and complete my coursework, as well as helping me buy uniform items such as steel toe-capped shoes.
"This support has really helped me to progress on my courses, especially because of the laptop.
"I’ve become more efficient as I can work on my coursework from both home and school, meaning I don’t have to wait until the next day to work on it again.
"My mum is a single parent raising two children, so that extra bit of support really helped."
Applications are now open for the academic year starting September 2026, with a deadline of October 16, 2026.
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