New round of Skills Bank funding opens the door for South Yorkshire businesses to cut training costs

4th August 2026

South Yorkshire businesses can once again apply for part-funded training after the launch of Skills Bank 4, the latest round of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority's flagship skills programme.

Doncaster-based BSA Training is urging HR teams and business owners across Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield to take advantage of the funding.

Skills Bank matches public money with employer investment, contributing towards the cost of training that supports business growth. Previous rounds of the programme have supported hundreds of South Yorkshire businesses, funding everything from leadership and management development to sales, customer service and communication skills.

The catch, according to BSA Training founder Bobby Singh, is that many eligible businesses don’t know the funding exists.

"Every month I meet business owners who are putting off training their teams because of cost, with no idea that funding is sitting there waiting for them," said Singh. "The application process is far more straightforward than people expect, and the businesses that use it see real results: more productive and profitable, stronger managers and effective employees, better retention, and teams that actually want to stay and grow."

To qualify, businesses need a physical site in South Yorkshire, at least 12 months of trading and a credible growth plan. Training must support that growth rather than meet a statutory requirement, and applicants speak with a SYMCA Skills Advisor as part of the process.

BSA Training has delivered funded training programmes across the region for businesses including Pricecheck, Green Spark Group, Sheffield Theatres and Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, and was recognised at the Doncaster Business Awards as runner-up for Small Business of the Year. Its programmes focus on practical skills that stick: every workshop ends with an action plan, and every participant reports back on progress at the next session.

"Funding rounds do not stay open forever, and budgets get allocated," added Singh. "If training has been on your to-do list for a while, this is the moment to have the conversation."

South Yorkshire businesses can check their eligibility and find out what a funded programme could look like by contacting BSA Training on 07989 111 711 or bobby@bsa-training.co.uk.