A fund to support adult-learning projects has been announced by the government. The £11.7 million Flexible Learning Fund will back 32 project across England that aim to help more adults back into the classroom and encourage the learning of new skills, according to skills minister Anne Milton.  

The projects are aimed at a range of skill levels, from beginners through to those who already have a good understanding of a topic. Projects include support for IT users to gain new skills in cyber-security; the training of older workers and people whose jobs are affected by the need for greater digital skills; and help to increase the maths skills and confidence of adults already in work.

‘Exciting’ initiative

Milton said: “I’m really excited about these projects, which will help people learn the skills they need to grow and succeed in lots of different jobs. Whether working already or returning to work, it can be difficult for people to fit training around their busy lives. This funding aims to find out how providers and employers can work together to better meet the needs of adults of all ages who want the opportunity to learn important new skills and change their lives.”

Managing director of training provider Access Skills, Neil Crawford, said he was delighted the organisation had been selected for support from the Flexible Learning Fund. “To break the barriers that prevent adults from returning to learning, we will use an online learning environment to deliver health and social care leadership qualifications in flexible and accessible ways.”

Supported projects

Lead organisation Region Project title National Numeracy Nationwide Using online learning to engage working adults in improving their basic maths skills Workers Education Association London Flexible and accessible learning delivered through the innovative use of behavioural insight The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London, part of the Capital City College Group London Routes to cyber security, digital skills and business transformation for adult learners NA College Trust East Midlands Developing online packages for level 1/2 maths and English functional skills for engineering, manufacturing and service-sector workers Access Skills West Midlands Developing flexible workplace task-focused learning for delivery in the health and social care sector Rutland County Council East of England Armed Forces dependants’ flexible-learning project Newham College of Further Education London Local London flexi-learn Open University East Midlands Bringing learning to life Bristol City Council on behalf of the West of England Community Learning Consortium South West Let’s get ahead! Flexible learning for inclusive growth National Land Based College West Midlands A flexible approach to the delivery of level 2 and 3 land-based qualifications, to upskill or reskill those already working or seeking to work in the land-based sector Carlisle College North West Cumbria elearning platform for functional skills St Helens Chamber North West Digital skills for returners and low-skilled employees Dudley College of Technology West Midlands Improving access to skills in the region PeoplePlus Group North West Progression pathways for parents Hounslow London Borough Council London West London blended-learning project Open Awards North West Blending access to higher education Durham County Council Adult Learning and Skills Service North East Durham Learn Weston College South West Developing blended training packages to bridge the skills gap in the West of England Skills and Learning Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole South West Flex to Learn Middlesbrough College North East Open access to health The Consultancy Home Counties East Midlands Class2Cloud Fareport Training Organisation South East Healthcare worker. Fast-track pre-employability literacy and basic-skills programme EDLounge Yorkshire and the Humber The Virtual Education Lounge South Devon College South West Switching Up DBC Training East Midlands Language Labs Nottinghamshire County Council East Midlands Carers into Caring Hull College Group Yorkshire and the Humber Developing an employer-supported level 2 health and care professions qualification to improve the skills profile of health and care workers through flexible delivery Birmingham Metropolitan College West Midlands Digital Engineering Academy Kensington and Chelsea College London Flexible First Steps to London North Shropshire College West Midlands The Pop-up College London Skills Development Network London Open Access learning hubs (Edugym) and interactive digital learning for adult learners retraining or returning to work London College of Beauty Therapy London Building futures for adults in beauty, hair and retail through flexible learning

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