Futures Employability Fund

What is The Futures Employability Fund (FEF)?

The Futures Employability Fund is an opportunity for students and graduates up to two years after graduation from under-represented groups to apply for funding for activities or items that will help them to improve their employability, develop their skills and experience and gain access to opportunities that a lack of funding may be stopping them from taking. 

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for the Futures Employability Fund you must meet one of the following criteria:

• Those in receipt of the University of Chester Bursary
• Declared Care Experience student or already in receipt of the Care Experienced or Estranged Student Bursary
• Those in receipt of the Young Adult Carer Bursary
• Those from ethnic minority groups
• Have a declared disability
• Have a postcode which fits into a POLAR 4 Quintile 1 or 2 area
• Those in receipt of the Sanctuary Scholarship (asylum status)
• Declared as part of the Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showman or Boater community. 

You will also need to be a current full-time, UK home-fee paying student, or a graduate that met the above criteria during their studies. 

NB: students studying at partner colleges are not eligible to apply.

Total amount of overall funding that can be awarded per student per academic year is £500.  Students can apply multiple times up to a cumulative total award value of £500. 

What is the Application Process?

Students who are eligible will receive an email advising them how to apply.  If you think you are eligible, and have not heard from us, please contact Careers and Employability using the contact details below. 

If you would like to discuss items or activities you wish to apply for, or you would like to gain some useful hints and tips to increase your chances of success, why not book a 15-minute Career Chat with one of our Careers Consultants.

What can you apply for?

Examples of what the funding can be used for include but are not limited to: 

• Professional Development 
  • Digital marketing courses
  • Sports coaching qualifications e.g. NVQ, CYO or similar health or fitness instruction, National Pool Lifeguard Qualification, FA Coaching Qualification etc.
  • Language courses
  • First Aid qualifications
  • Conference/events attendance
  • Membership of professional bodies
• Specialist Equipment
  • Software subscriptions
  • Archaeological tools
  • Photography equipment
  • Creative performance equipment
• Career Development Expenses
  • Travel expenses*
  • Interview clothes (up to a maximum of £120) - evidence of invitation to interview is required to be submitted with the application form. .
  • Accommodation expenses for experiences away from home/campus*
  • Appropriate smart clothes/uniform etc if not provided for out of curriculum work experience
  • Specialist equipment needed for out of curriculum work experience*
    *Applications considered for Work Based Learning or Study Abroad requirements 

Please note that funding is not available for: 

• Driving lessons 
• Laptops for academic use, applications for laptops must clearly outline the employability purposes (this does not include CV writing and job hunting). 
• Rent, bills, food shopping or contributions to commuting to university.  If you are experiencing financial hardship you can apply to the Student Support Fund or contact studentservices@chester.ac.uk 

Applications are reviewed and awarded monthly.

You can also check out The Futures Employability Fund terms and conditions​​ and resources on CareerHub