An Individual Learning Account (usually just called an “ILA”) is run by Skills Development Scotland. It’s an excellent, simple way to get up to £200 a year (sometimes £500) towards the cost of learning something new. It’s a Scottish Government scheme for people with an income of £22,000 a year or less or who are on benefits. The money is not a loan – so you DON’T have to pay any of it back.

Who’s eligible?
Everyone resident in Scotland and over the age of 18 is eligible, whether you are in employment or not.
But you are NOT eligible if you in full time education OR you are earning over £22,000 a year.

How much is available?
Generally it is £200. However, some courses (Professional Development Awards) are eligible for £500 funding.

What can I use my ILA funding for with YouTrain?
YouTrain is of course a LearnDirect Scotland Approved Provider and you can use your ILA towards cost of any of our courses. Several of our courses cost only £200 in which case they are covered completely by your ILA. Other courses costs more, in which case you can put £200 towards the cost.  Some ideas are below.

• Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Certification Course through e-learning
  
  
  
  • Unlimited access to Microsoft Office e-Learning – learn anywhere, anytime!
  
  
  • Study at home or come into our Open Learning Centre at Stirling Enterprise Park, just two minutes from the town centre. (Open Monday – Friday 9 – 5).
  
  
  • Unlimited mock examinations, which can be sat anywhere, anytime and will prepare you for the official Certified exams.
  
  
  • One ‘MOS’ Certified Examination of your choice taken at our Stirling test centre.
  
  
  • Total Value – £550.  Cost – £200.  Covered by your ILA – NO FURTHER COSTS INVOLVED!


• Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Certification Course through supported e-learning
  
  
  
  • All the above, plus
  
  
  • Email support from one of our Microsoft Trainers
  
  
  • An additional MOS exam
  
  
  • Total value – £750. Price – £350. Price after your ILA – £150


• Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Certification Course including Classroom training
  
  
  
  • All the above, plus:
  
  
  • One day training in our Stirling Centre
  
  
  • Total value – £900. Price £450.  Price after your ILA – £250


• Microsoft Certified Technical Specialist  - similar to above


• SQA Management Professional Development Award (programme eligible for enhanced ILA of £500).
  
  
  
  • Unlimited access to British Management Institute e-learning material and one year’s student membership of the Institute
  
  
  • Study at home or come into our Open Learning Centre at Stirling Enterprise Park, just two minutes from the town centre. (Open Monday – Friday 9 – 5)
  
  
  • Mentoring from one of our management trainers
  
  
  • Assessment for achievement of the SQA PDA (Professional Development Award)
  
  
  • Total price £500.  Covered by the price of your “ILA500”

Of course, your ILA is your ILA, we hope you use it with us, but if we can’t help you with what you want to learn, you can use your ILA towards any of the courses on the Learn Direct Scotland website.

How do I apply?
The process is quite simple. First, you have to apply for an Individual Learning Account. You can do this by calling free on 0808 100 1090 or do it on-line on www.ilascotland.org.uk You will then be sent a reference number, and when you get this, tell us which course you want to do and we do the rest.  You can contact us at any time to help you through the process or of course for advice about what you would like to do.

Want more information?
Call us on 01786 460531 or email us on enquiries@youtrain.co.uk