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What is the Adult Skills Fund?

The Adult Skills Fund (formerly Adult Education Budget) is used to help adults over the age of 19 to develop the skills and qualifications needed for life, work, apprenticeships and further learning.

What is the Combined Authority’s role?

In the first three full years of the devolved Adult Skills Fund (formerly Adult Education Budget) the West of England Combined Authority supported 22,800 of our residents across Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire to undertake over 37,400 learning aims. This has helped them to develop the skills and motivation they need to re-engage with education and to gain, sustain and progress within employment. We have supported our key employment sectors to help them access the skilled workforce they need, seeking to join up with other employment initiatives and maximise the benefit of the resources we have.  

Our education strategy aligns with our Local Industrial Strategy and our Employment and Skills Plan. These all aim to improve opportunities for residents and businesses in our region.

Man on computer Image credit: Weston College

Adult Skills Fund providers

Find contact information for adult skills fund providers in the West of England.

View provider details

How do we allocate adult skills funding?

We target funding at the residents who need it most, whilst also supporting those in work to gain better-paid, more secure employment. We prioritise the following residents when choosing which provision to fund:

  • People who have been unemployed for six months or more
  • Unemployed people with prior education attainment falling below Level 2
  • People who are employed in low-paid jobs, or at risk of redundancy, with prior education attainment falling below Level 2

Adult Skills Fund providers can apply to us for funding to deliver adult education on our behalf.  To find out how to apply please visit our funding policies and guidance page.

To view all 2023-24 Adult Education Funding documentation please visit funding policies and guidance.

Woman in high visibility clothing at Weston College Image credit: Weston College

Information for providers

Find all the documents relating to our funding rules, policies and related guidance, as well as information covering the Grant Funding Agreements (GFA) for strategic partners and providers.

View provider information

National Skills Fund Level 3 Offer

National Skills Fund Level 3 offers free courses for jobs within high demand sectors to people aged 19 and over. These courses are fully funded through the Combined Authority’s Adult Education Budget and the Department of Education and forming part of the National Skills Fund.

Discover National Skills Fund Level 3 Offer

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Adult education providers

View list of adult education providers in the West of England.

Adult education news

Latest information on Adult Education.

Information for partners

Funding policies and guidance for partners and providers.