Adult Skills Fund

The Adult Skills Fund (ASF) is a Government-funded programme that supports adults aged 19 and over to gain the skills needed for employment, career progression and further learning. Introduced in August 2024, it replaced the Adult Education Budget and funds a wide range of training, qualifications and employability programmes across England.


Key objectives

  • Help adults develop skills that lead to meaningful and sustained employment
  • Support people to progress into further education and training
  • Address local and national skills shortages
  • Improve opportunities for adults who are unemployed, economically inactive or on low incomes
  • Support young adults aged 19+ who are not in education, employment or training (NEET)


The ASF funds a broad range of learning opportunities, including:

  • English and maths qualifications
  • Essential digital skills training
  • Vocational and technical qualifications
  • Free courses for jobs
  • English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
  • Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs)
  • Community and tailored learning programmes


The ASF can support workforce development in adult social care by funding:

  • Health and social care qualifications
  • Employability and pre-employment training
  • Skills development for people seeking careers in care
  • Upskilling opportunities for existing workers


Expected benefits

...for learners

  • Access to free or subsidised training
  • Improved employability and career prospects
  • Opportunities to retrain or return to work

...for employers

  • Access to a larger pool of skilled candidates
  • Support for sector workforce shortages
  • Opportunities to develop staff capabilities

...for adult social care providers

  • Additional recruitment pathways into care roles
  • Development of entry-level and specialist skills
  • Support for local workforce growth and sustainability

Oxfordshire opportunities


Adult Learning in Oxfordshire

Oxfordshire County Council offers a range of adult learning opportunities, including English, maths, ESOL and employability-focused learning that can help people progress towards employment and further training.

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Enterprise Oxfordshire works with employers, education providers and residents to improve access to skills, training and employment opportunities. The organisation supports programmes including Skills Bootcamps, apprenticeships and careers initiatives which complement Adult Skills Fund objectives.

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Activate Learning delivers employability, workforce development and vocational training programmes across Oxfordshire. Many courses focus on helping unemployed adults, those changing careers or people looking to improve workplace skills.

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Part of the Oxfordshire Adult Social Care Workforce Initiatives Library