The government is reforming and expanding the offer for 19+ learners to ensure that the UK has the skills needed to meet the challenges of the future as jobs and work are transformed by technology and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The reforms offer many new opportunities for providers and employers to access funding to upskill and reskill the workforce.
The Adult Education Budget (AEB) can support staff to gain new skills, improve their current level of knowledge in an occupation, or get them ready for an apprenticeship. Currently, the AEB support any learner aged 19-24 to gain their first full level 2 or level 3 certificate or diploma.
AEB funded programmes can be used alongside apprenticeships to complement and expand the skills of individual apprentices. Any AEB funded qualification that is delivered at the same time as an apprenticeship cannot replicate the apprenticeship content, it must provide additional complimentary skills that increase the knowledge gained in a particular occupation or sector subject area.
From April 2021, adults without an A-Level or equivalent qualification will be able to access full funded courses that will provide them with skills valued by employers and give individuals the opportunity to study at a time and location that suits them. This new offer will be paid for through the National Skills Fund, which has been set up by the Government to support workers to retrain or change careers and get the skills they need to work in particular industries.
Employers and learners can access AEB funded courses via their local FE college or training provider. Approved courses funded by the National Skills Fund will be available from April 2021 via the same routes.
ILM has a number of qualifications that employers and providers can use to support eligible learners to improve their skills and these are shown in the course directory/catalogue.
