Skills Funding Group Ltd

Last updated: March 2026

This Legitimate Interest Assessment documents the basis on which Skills Funding Group Ltd relies on Legitimate Interest as a lawful basis for processing certain personal data under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR).

Organisation

Skills Funding Group Ltd
Website: https://www.skillsfundinggroup.com

Skills Funding Group provides employer-funded and government-funded training programmes, apprenticeships and professional development courses to organisations across England.

Purpose Test

What is the legitimate interest?

Skills Funding Group processes business contact data in order to:

• Inform employers about government-funded training opportunities
• Support workforce development and skills improvement
• Provide information about apprenticeship and professional training programmes
• Connect eligible employers with training providers
• Promote funded skills programmes that may benefit employers and their workforce

The organisation engages in B2B communication with employers that may be eligible for funded training programmes.

The information shared typically relates to:

• Apprenticeships
• Government-funded training
• Workforce development
• Skills funding opportunities

These communications are intended to provide information that may help employers access funding and improve staff development.

Data Sources

Personal and business contact data may be obtained from:

• Publicly available business information
• Professional networking platforms
• Information provided directly by organisations
• Trusted B2B data suppliers

Data suppliers are asked to provide business-related contact data aligned with the types of organisations that may benefit from funded training programmes.

Typical data attributes requested may include:

• Company name
• Contact name
• Business email address
• Business telephone number
• Employer size
• Business sector
• Company location
• Date of company registration

Skills Funding Group takes reasonable steps to ensure that data providers operate in accordance with applicable data protection regulations.

Necessity Test

Is the processing necessary for the purpose?

Contacting employers and professionals directly is necessary in order to:

• Inform organisations about training programmes
• Identify employers that may be eligible for government funding
• Provide employers with relevant workforce development opportunities

Without direct outreach, many employers would remain unaware of funding opportunities available to them.

The processing is limited to business-related contact data and does not involve sensitive personal data.

Communications are targeted based on reasonable indicators of potential relevance such as:

• Employer size
• Business sector
• Geographic location
• Organisational characteristics

This helps ensure communications are relevant and proportionate.

Balancing Test

Do the individual’s interests override the legitimate interest?

Skills Funding Group believes that its processing activities do not override the rights or freedoms of individuals because:

• The data used relates primarily to business contacts
• Communications relate to professional or organisational activities
• The information provided may be beneficial to the recipient’s organisation
• Communications are relevant to the recipient’s sector or business profile
• Individuals can easily opt out of communications at any time

The organisation avoids excessive or intrusive marketing practices and seeks to ensure communications remain professional and relevant.

Safeguards

Skills Funding Group implements the following safeguards:

• Only business-related data is processed
• Communications are relevant to the recipient’s organisation
• Opt-out options are available in communications
• Data is stored securely within CRM systems
• Data suppliers are expected to comply with applicable regulations

If a recipient requests that communications cease, the request will be honoured promptly.

Communication Channels

Skills Funding Group may communicate with employers and professionals using appropriate business communication channels including:

• Email
• Telephone
• SMS
• WhatsApp
• LinkedIn
• Other professional or social media platforms where business communication is appropriate

All communications are intended to provide relevant information regarding workforce development and funded training opportunities.

Conclusion

After completing this Legitimate Interest Assessment, Skills Funding Group considers that:

• The processing serves a clear legitimate business purpose
• The processing is necessary and proportionate
• The rights and freedoms of individuals are not overridden

Skills Funding Group therefore relies on Legitimate Interest as the lawful basis for certain B2B marketing and outreach activities.