The training part of this programme is Government funded.

The funding eligibility for this opportunity is as follows.

You must be:

1. Unemployed and claiming benefits

2. Aged 24+ (as of 31st Aug 2023)

3. A UK resident (3+ years)

4. A current resident of Trafford or Stockport -

Unsure if you are? Click here to check.

Meet the criteria?

You will likely get free training worth around £4000 plus a guaranteed rail employer interview on completion.

Don't meet the criteria?

We anticipate there will be other opportunities coming up within the next few months where the eligibility criteria is more inclusive.

If you'd like to hear about these, then apply anyway and you'll be added to a waiting list.

Eligibility FAQs

"I don't officially live in the Stockport borough but I have an SK postcode. Am I eligible?"

No. Eligibility is based on council borough only. If you are unsure which borough you live in, you can check here.

"I live close by to Trafford / Stockport and can get there in less than a few minutes, will I get funding?"

No. It would even matter if you lived literally a coin toss away from these areas. If the gov.uk website says you don't live in Stockport or Trafford, then you aren't eligible. Check here.

"Can I just apply anyway and pretend I live in Trafford or Stockport"

No. Before you get accepted onto the programme you will need to share a proof of address. There is no way you can "slip through the net" so-to-speak.

"I have seen you advertise a similar role before but for other areas of Manchester - what has happened?"

In simple terms, local Government decide who, when, what, where, why and how funding should get allocated. They usually allocate a pot to each borough and once that gets used up, theres no more left unto the next academic year. In this case, theres still a bit left in the pot for Trafford and Stockport folk but not for those from the other eight boroughs.

"Is this discrimination?"

No. We have got no involvement as to where Government funding is allocated, who or what it gets spent on and what the eligibility criteria is. Its likely all boroughs of Manchester have had their fair share of funding but the uptake has been more popular across the other eight boroughs earlier in the academic year. We can only speculate though.

"When will there be opportunities for people from the other boroughs of Greater Manchester?"

Funding pots get topped up again for the new academic year. To avoid disappointment, we recommend applying today anyway, joining a waiting list and when the next opportunities come between September and January, jump onto them whilst you can!

"I may be eligible but I have other questions"

Watch the video below.