Adult Education Budget
Overview
The Adult Education Budget (AEB) was devolved from Central Government in August 2019 and supports tens of thousands of the city-region’s residents every year to develop the skills they need for life and work.
Additionally, it helps to ensure that employers can access the skilled workforce they need for businesses across the city-region to grow and thrive.
Some of the courses the AEB funds ranges from teaching essential skills that adults need to progress in the world of work or to improve employability, through to qualifications that boost career prospects, in particular those working in low paid jobs or in Greater Manchester’s foundation and growth sectors, as outlined in our Local Industrial Strategy (PDF, 1525KB)
Devolved control over adult skills has enabled Greater Manchester to introduce new flexibilities to make it easier for people to access the skills training they need, for example by providing access to certain courses free of charge for adults earning less than the national living wage.
It's a key priority that Greater Manchester residents receive quality training and education, so all our procured contracts awarded to organisations have received ratings of Good or Outstanding in their Ofsted inspections for their adult education provision.
Adult Education Budget Annual Report 2019 – 2020
In an unprecedented year, the devolved budget for adult education has continued to deliver training opportunities and skills provision for people across Greater Manchester.
More than 51,000 residents across the city-region have been able to access skills and training programmes since local control of the AEB was transferred to Greater Manchester, despite the effects of the pandemic.
By having control of the budget, Greater Manchester was able to craft policies in response to local needs, including the Covid-19 pandemic. During the pandemic funding was used to develop a range of programmes to train people into key worker professions, while extra skills support was given to those at risk of redundancy. Funding was also used to provide clear routes into training, so Greater Manchester residents were able to upskill into roles employers require to support the economy.
Read our first Annual Report (3.7MB)
For all enquiries about Adult Education Budget please email: AEBEnquiries@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk