Adult Skills Fund
As part of York and North Yorkshire’s devolution deal, York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority will be taking responsibility for the region’s Adult Skills Fund. The Adult Skills Fund, previously know as the Adult Education Budget, supports the delivery of education and training to people aged 19 and over. It aims to engage adults and provide them with the skills needed for entering and sustaining work, an apprenticeship / traineeship, or other further learning.
Background information
The Adult Skills Fund (ASF) is a key commitment of York and North Yorkshire from the devolution deal, with the Combined Authority taking responsibility for the ASF commencing August 2025.
The ASF provides funding to support the engagement of adults, aged 19 and over, to equip them with the skills needed to progress to employment, apprenticeships or other learning.
This provision is currently delivered by learning providers such as local authorities, further education colleges and independent training providers. It has been administered by the Department for Education / Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA).
Devolution of the ASF will see the Combined Authority become the commissioner of ASF learning provision.
Links
The Joint Devolution Committee approved arrangements for Adult Education Budget Implementation Funding at a meeting on 24 July 2023. Read the meeting papers.
‘York and North Yorkshire Adult Education Budget Survey launched’ – YNYCA news story, 25 March 2024.
‘Report will help shape York and North Yorkshire Adult Education Budget’ – YNYCA news story, 30 July 2024.