This wage subsidy programme is aimed at small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in West Lothian and supports the creation of sustainable employment opportunities in the local area.

Businesses can get support through 2 strands: the Volume Job Grant and the StepsN2Work programme.

The Volume Job Grant is a one-off payment of £3,500.

The StepsN2Work programme provides funding to cover:

• 50% of the national minimum wage for employees aged 16 to 17 years, for 52 weeks
• 50% of the Real Living Wage for employees aged 18 to 24 years, for 26 weeks

The fund is managed by the West Lothian Council Economic Development Team.

To be eligible for either strand, your business must:

• be based in West Lothian
• be able to create a new role with a minimum contract of 26 hours per week
• pay your employees at least the Real Living Wage

The employees you wish to support must be West Lothian residents.

To be eligible for the Volume Job Grant, your business must also have been trading since June 2018. The created positions must be permanent and pay a salary of approximately £21,000 per year, and the employees must be aged 25 years or older and based in West Lothian.

To be eligible for StepsN2Work, your business must employ no more than 50 staff.

This is a free service.

West Lothian-based businesses that plan to create new job opportunities for West Lothian residents.

Once your eligibility and suitability have been confirmed, your application can be approved within 7 days.

Businesses are invited to complete an Expression of Interest form, then a member of the team will be in touch.

Visit the Invest in West Lothian website for more information.