Adult Skills Fund

Adult Education Budget, ASF is designed to support education and training for individuals aged 19 and over.

It aims to engage adults and provide them with the skills needed for entering and sustaining:

• work

• an apprenticeship / traineeship

• or other further learning

Background

The Adult Skills Fund is a vital part of Cornwall's devolution deal. Cornwall Council will assume responsibility for managing the fund starting in August 2025. 

This also includes the Free Courses for Jobs Fund (FCFJ). FCFJ aims to enable adults to access a level 3 qualification that helps improve: 

• wage outcomes,

• job prospects and

• gain skills that employers value

ASF and FCFJ provision are currently delivered by learning providers such as the:

• local authority

• further education colleges and

• independent training organisations

Historically, the funding has been administered by:

• Department for Education

• Education and Skills Funding Agency 

With the devolution of ASF, Cornwall Council takes on the role of commissioner.  They will ensure the effective delivery of adult learning and training for residents across the Duchy. 

Learning Providers

Find out more about our learning providers who deliver the provision on behalf of Cornwall Council:

• Cornwall Adult and Community Education

• Cornwall College Group

• Truro and Penwith College

• Focus Training Group

• City College Plymouth

• WEA Adult Learning Within Reach

• The Skills Network

• On Course South West

• City of Bristol College

Strategic Plans 

Adult Skills Fund Strategic Plan 

Cornwall Council's Adult Skills Fund Strategic Plan was approved by Cornwall Council Cabinet in May 2024.  This was following consultation with a range of key stakeholders.

The plan is built around the 4 key themes of Cornwall's Workforce and Skills Strategy:

• Inspire

• Transform,

• Innovate and

• Thrive

Cornwall Council's Adult Skills Fund Strategic Plan

Adult Skills Fund Commissioning Plan 2026/27

The Commissioning Plan for the current academic year sets out the Council's approach to administering ASF and FCFJ aligned to 3 core strands: 

1. Plan-led commissioning through the agreement of Delivery Plans with grant funded providers.

2. Procuring contracts for services.

3. Innovation Fund

The Commissioning Plan

Provider documents 

Documents for learning providers relating to our

• funding rules

• policies

• related guidance

Documents for 2026/2027 can be accessed below:

• Adult Skills Commissioning Plan

• Adult Skills Fund Subcontracting Policy

• Annex A - Provider Performance Grant Providers

• Annex B - Provider Performance Procured Providers

• Appendix 2 ASF Due Diligence Policy

• ASF Audit and Assurance Framework

• ASF Provider Performance Management Framework

• Cornwall ASF Complaints Investigation Process

• Cornwall Coding Guidance

• Cornwall Council Adult Skills Fund Privacy Notice

• Cornwall Council ASF Funding and Performance Management Rules

• Cornwall Council Branding Guidelines

• Cornwall_ASF_Funding_Rates_and_Formula

• FCFJ Additional F&F Documentation and Course List

• Funding Higher Risk Organisations and subcontractors policy

• Cornwall Council Adult Skills Fund Freedom and Flexibilities Access to HE approved courses

• Adult Skills Fund Data Submission Requirements and Funding Claim Guidance

Previous documents for 2025/2026 can be accessed below:

• Cornwall Council ASF Funding and Performance Management Rules 2025_26

• Cornwall Council Devolved Area Postcodes CSV and xlsx 

• Cornwall Council ASF Funding Rates and Formula 2025_26

• Cornwall Council ASF Provider Performance Management Framework 2025_26

• FCFJ Additional Freedom and Flex Documentation

• Cornwall Council ASF Audit and Assurance Framework

• Cornwall Council ASF and FCFJ Branding Guidelines

• Cornwall Council Complaints and Investigations Process 

• Cornwall Council ASF Due Diligence Policy 

• Cornwall Council Adults Skills Fund Coding Guidance

• Cornwall Council Adult Skills Fund Privacy Notice

• Cornwall Council Adult Skills Fund Subcontracting Policy

• Cornwall Council ASF and FCFJ Allocations 2025-26

Support

If you have any questions or would like help/more information about ASF, please email peopleandskills@cornwall.gov.uk. 

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