Adult Skills Funding

Aim of the ASF Provision

The primary aims of the Adult Skills Funding in England include supporting adults in gaining the skills they need for employment, career progression, and personal development. The funding is managed by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), supporting a range of training and qualifications for learners aged 19 and over.

Main aims of Adult Skills Funding

• Improving employability. Help adults gain the necessary skills required to enter or re enter the workforce, and support jobseekers with qualifications aligned to labour market demand.
• Support career progression. Provide opportunities for adults to upskill or retrain, and enable progression to higher level qualifications or apprenticeships.
• Address skills gaps. Target sectors with known skill shortages, for example health, construction and digital, and ensure the workforce has relevant skills to meet economic needs.
• Promote social mobility and inclusion. Prioritise support for disadvantaged groups, including those with low prior qualifications or from deprived areas, and reduce barriers to learning through free or subsidised provision.
• Support lifelong learning. Encourage adults to engage in continuous personal and professional development, and support personal enrichment and civic engagement through learning.
• Align with local and national priorities. Enable Combined Authorities and Local Enterprise Partnerships to tailor provision to local economic needs, especially under devolved Adult Education Budget arrangements.

ASF main objectives

• Improve employability and career progression. Equip adults with essential and vocational skills to access work, progress in careers, or retrain for new opportunities.
• Promote social inclusion and lifelong learning. Support disadvantaged groups and encourage adults to engage in education for personal and community development.
• Address skills gaps and economic priorities. Fund training aligned with local and national labour market needs to strengthen the workforce and economy.

ASF goals

• Promote inclusive and equitable access to education
• Empower a skilled and resilient workforce
• Contribute to community development and social mobility