adult education budget

Mayday for adult education this International Worker’s Day

We need to not just honour the past but demand a future for adult learning this May Day

It’s dumb to leave adults lagging in the AI revolution

Without better funding for local learning, adults with weak digital skills cannot hope to keep up with AI advancements

The dismantling of a sector: Adult education in crisis

Only two years ago, the adult education sector was called ‘the crown’ and community learning its ‘jewel’ by the education select committee. So why is a narrow offer (unless you can pay) possibly set to become even narrower? Jess Staufenberg finds out The “existential decline” of the adult education sector because of drops in funding, […]

This is how training providers can prepare for more devolution in the Adult Education Budget

Don’t duplicate your bid applications and do look elsewhere for inspiration, writes Steve Morris In February 2022, the government published its white paper which confirms a commitment to developing a new devolution framework. This means every part of England that wants a devolution deal will have one by 2030. So, county devolution is born (these […]

Revealed: The 19 winners of the Liverpool City Region AEB tender

The names of the 19 training providers that have won contracts with Liverpool City Region to deliver its devolved adult education budget (AEB) have been revealed. The combined authority will take control of an annual £50.35 million budget to deliver adult education from September. Up to 30 per cent – or £15.11 million – of […]

Ofsted’s report shows community learning providers need more funding

The high quality of adult education provision highlighted in the inspectorate’s annual report is a strong argument for rebalancing funding in their favour, says Sue Pember This year’s Ofsted chief inspector’s report highlights how successful our community learning and skills providers are. They are the hidden gems of the adult education system and are leading […]

Mayor of London blames DfE for having to top-slice AEB

The Greater London Authority is locked in a war of words with the government over Sadiq Khan’s plan to top-slice £3 million from the adult education budget to cover the costs of devolution. The Department for Education insisted it had awarded the GLA “sufficient funds to prepare”, having provided £235,139 in “implementation funding” between September […]

London needs proper control of its adult education budget

The office of the mayor of London responds to criticisms that it plans to top-slice £3 million from the adult education budget next year There is no doubt that how we educate and train people throughout their lives has a profound impact not only on their own chances in life but also on London’s and […]

The new prime providers who struck gold in the first AEB tender

There were many winners to emerge from the AEB procurement, including two new prime providers which each received more than £1 million. Top of the list of first-time primes is London-based Free to Learn, which has £2 million for November to July next year. Its chief commercial officer was bullish about the company’s ability to […]