Employment Pathway Grant

Are you interested in creating a position within your business for a West Lothian resident? The EPG offers funding to help you do this.

The Employment Pathway Grant is a programme aimed at supporting local businesses and third sector organisations in creating new employment opportunities for West Lothian residents. Successful applicants will receive 100% of the salary of the new employee (based on the employee receiving the Real Living Wage), for a minimum of 12 hours and up to a maximum of 40 hours per week for up to 3 months.

We Can Help You Recruit - At No Cost to You

Free Job Advertising Support: We'll help you promote your vacancy at no cost.
Candidate Matching Service: Let us help you find the right candidates — or, if you already have someone in mind, you're welcome to put forward your own candidate.

Eligibility Criteria

• This is open to businesses and third sector organisations (including social enterprises) that are based in West Lothian and have fewer than 250 employees. Anchor organisations (for example, educational institutions, healthcare institutions, etc) currently operating in West Lothian are also welcome to apply
• The business must be have been trading for a minimum of 6 months and will be required to provide financial information as part of our assessment. You can view the list of the information that is required here (opens new window)
• The funding application cannot be submitted for individuals already employed in the business. It must be for a new job or vacancy
• The employee hired must be a West Lothian resident who is:
  • 16-24 years old and currently unemployed or on a zero-hour contract, or
  • A parent with a dependent child, or
  • Aged 25+ and unemployed
• Employees must have a contract of employment for a minimum of 12 hours per week and fall into one of these categories: permanent contract, fixed-term contract lasting 52 weeks or more, or fixed-term contract for the duration of an Apprenticeship. Companies using zero-hour contracts will not be eligible
• Employees recruited through the EPG must receive a written contract of employment within two months of starting, as per legislative requirements
• Employees must not begin until funding and candidate eligibility are confirmed
• Candidates who have previously received funding through a West Lothian Council employment grant or an equivalent scheme administered by us are not eligible for further funding through this programme
• Funding is limited to two grants per business (any increase to this will be considered on a case-by-case basis) 

Wage Requirements

• To be eligible for the fund, you must pay at least the Real Living Wage, to all new starts, existing employees and apprentices regardless of age
• The Real Living Wage has increased to £13.45 per hour on 22 October 2025. Employers currently paying the previous rate of £12.60 per hour have until 1 May 2026 to implement the new rate for all employees
• New EPG applications submitted from 22 October 2025 are encouraged to use the new Real Living Wage of £13.45 per hour. Although applications can still be submitted using the previous rate of £12.60 per hour until 1 May 2026, employers are strongly encouraged to adopt the new rate
• Employers must implement the Scottish Government's Fair Work First guidance, which includes:
  • Adherence to Fair Work First commitments, including payment of the Real Living Wage and providing appropriate channels for effective worker voice.

Payment and Monitoring

• The programme will pay 100% of the employee's salary based on the Real Living Wage for a maximum of 40 hours per week, for up to 3 months
• The funding is paid in arrears in two instalments: at month 1 and month 3
• The funding available through this is up to a maximum of £6,552, dependent on the number of contracted hours and evidence submitted
• After month 1, you will be asked to upload a payslip and bank statement showing the salary paid
• At the end of month 3, you'll need to provide payslips and bank statements for months 2 and 3 before the final payment is made
• After the evidence has been uploaded, we will review it and release the payment
• The employee will receive ongoing support from an employment advisor and must register and present evidence of their eligibility to work in the UK, as well as proof of residence in West Lothian
• Progress reviews will take place during the grant period and continue after it ends, at agreed intervals of 4, 13, 36, and 52 weeks, to ensure sustained employment and support development.

To submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) please click here (opens new window)