£53 Million funding for Adult Skills in the East Midlands 

A big step forward for our region: decisions about Adult Skills Funding (ASF) that were once made in Government are now being made right here in the East Midlands. 

With £53 million now under the local control of the Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, thousands of adults aged 19yrs and over will have the chance to learn new skills, open up better job opportunities, and build brighter futures. This includes the Adult Skills Fund and Free Courses for Jobs (FCFJ) programmes, now delivered and shaped locally by the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA). 

From August 2025, EMCCA will officially take charge of this funding. That means Mayor Claire Ward and Local Authorities will decide how money is spent, making sure it reaches the people, businesses, and communities who will benefit most. 

What this means for local people

• Learn new skills to move into good jobs 

• Access high-quality training and apprenticeships 

• Get the support to overcome barriers to work 

• Build confidence and support personal development 

A local approach, built around you 

For the first time, this funding is being designed around the needs of our communities. EMCCA is working hand in hand with local colleges, local authorities, independent learning organisations, voluntary organisations, and employers to make sure opportunities match the jobs of the future and the needs of our economy. 

Over the past year, we’ve listened carefully through consultations and focus groups with residents, learners, and businesses. Their voices are shaping how this programme will be delivered—ensuring that funding makes a real difference to the people and places that need it most. 

This is a chance for the East Midlands to take charge of its own future—local decisions, local opportunities, local impact. 

Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said: “When I stood for election, I promised to deliver better opportunities for people right across the region, and the £53 million of adult skills funding is a vital part of delivering that. Local control of skills means that you can be confident that the support you receive will lead to real job opportunities, progression, and the knowledge that you are contributing to a stronger East Midlands.”

Find out more about ASF here.