Article 4 Exempted training aid
United Kingdom
Aid schemes and individual aid for training must fulfil the conditions laid down in paragraphs 2 to 7.
Where the aid is granted for specific training, its intensity shall not exceed 25 % for large enterprises and 35 % for small and medium-sized enterprises.
These intensities shall be increased by five percentage points for enterprises in areas which qualify for regional aid pursuant to Article 87(3)(c) of the Treaty and by 10 percentage points for enterprises in areas which qualify for regional aid pursuant to Article 87(3)(a) of the Treaty.
Where the aid is granted for general training, its intensity shall not exceed 50 % for large enterprises and 70 % for small and medium-sized enterprises.
These intensities shall be increased by five percentage points for enterprises in areas which qualify for regional aid pursuant to Article 87(3)(c) of the Treaty and by 10 percentage points for enterprises in areas which qualify for regional aid pursuant to Article 87(3)(a) of the Treaty.
The maximum intensities referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3 shall be increased by 10 percentage points if the training is given to disadvantaged workers.
In cases where the aid project involves both specific and general training components which cannot be separated for the calculation of the aid intensity, and in cases where the specific or general character of the training aid project cannot be established, the intensities applicable to specific training pursuant to paragraph 2 shall apply.
Where the aid is granted in the maritime transport sector, it may reach an intensity of 100 %, whether the training project concerns specific or general training, provided that the following conditions are met:
the trainee shall not be an active member of the crew but shall be supernumerary on board, and
the training shall be carried out on board ships entered on Community registers.
The eligible costs of a training aid project shall be:
trainers' personnel costs,
trainers' and trainees' travel expenses,
other current expenses such as materials and supplies,
depreciation of tools and equipment, to the extent that they are used exclusively for the training project,
cost of guidance and counselling services with regard to the training project,
trainees' personnel costs up to the amount of the total of the other eligible costs referred to in (a) to (e). Only the hours during which the trainees actually participate in the training, after deduction of any productive hours or of their equivalent, may be taken into account.
The eligible costs shall be supported by documentary evidence, which shall be transparent and itemised.