Adult Education: Publicity

(asked on 14th June 2022) - View Source

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to run a national campaign for adult education explaining (1) what opportunities are free to access, and (2) how to access courses.


Answered by
Baroness Barran Portrait
Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
This question was answered on 27th June 2022

A large number of providers across the country, such as further education colleges and Independent Training Providers, are already delivering local adult education and skills provision. This ensures that adult learners have the opportunity to gain new qualifications and skills in their area.

The department is continuing to invest in education and skills training for adults through the adult education budget (AEB). This comprises £1.34 billion in the 2021/22 academic year. The AEB fully funds, or co-funds, skills provision for eligible adults aged 19 and above from pre-entry to level 3. This is to help them gain the skills they need for work, an apprenticeship, or further learning.

The department is also investing £1.6 billion through the National Skills Fund across the 2022 to 2025 financial years, on top of the £375 million already committed in the 2021/22 financial year. This includes investment of up to £550 million to significantly expand Skills Bootcamps, and investment to expand the eligibility for delivery of the Free Courses for Jobs offer, which is now open to more adults.

The National Careers Service provides free, up-to-date, and impartial information, advice, and guidance to help individuals consider the different programmes, learning and skills opportunities in their local areas. This helps them determine which route would be best for them. This includes community-based face-to-face service for priority groups of adults, such as those with low qualification levels or learning difficulties and disabilities.

The department launched the Skills for Life campaign in January 2022, focusing on adults in England. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the different education and training routes available for adults to get the skills they need to get the job they want, whatever their stage in life. This includes promotion of free opportunities for adults, such as Skills Bootcamps, Free Courses for Jobs, apprenticeships, Multiply and essential maths, English, and digital skills. The campaign signposts adults to Skills for Life and the National Careers Service to find out more and apply. The department plans to launch the second phase of the campaign later this year.

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