Targeted adult education funding sees learner demand surge

Increasing numbers of adults are taking advantage of free courses at further education colleges to upskill or retrain, bucking the trend in falling adult education enrolment across the country.

Despite historic cuts to adult education funding, data collected by RCU and published by the Association of Colleges today, found that the proportion of adults accessing the Free Courses for Jobs (FCfJ) scheme has increased by a third (32.6%) since 2022/23.

FCfJ, launched in September 2020, gives adults without a Level 3 qualification full government funding for specific courses to support them to go further in the workforce.

The findings, released as a new inquiry into adult education begins, suggest that when the government invests in adult education, and targets funding at those who need it the most, learner demand surges.

There were significant increases between 2022/23 and 2024/25 in the number of adults studying in health, nursing and social care (38%), and child development and wellbeing (30%), both areas in which the UK is suffering with skills gaps.

Several other subject areas also saw enrolments more than double: humanities, languages, social sciences and general education, for example, had a 104% increase in enrolment, while digital had a 158% increase, and science and mathematics had a 149% increase.

David Hughes, Chief Executive, Association of Colleges, said it was a great example of where learner demand, college expertise and government funding come together to plug a critical skills gap, and deliver for communities and the economy.

“Our Adult Learning Pays campaign puts the spotlights on adult learners, and this data demonstrates what works when it comes to reengaging them in education and ultimately help them to upskill and retrain.

“The dire state of adult education funding has been well documented, and at AoC we want to shift the narrative on adult education, so it’s seen as an investment, rather than a cost.

“FCfJ is a relatively small government initiative, and only available to adults who earn less than £25,000 and who don’t already have a Level 3 qualification. And yet, colleges are seeing enrolments increase steadily year on year, and in areas in which we have huge skills gaps.

“It’s not hard to imagine, then, the impact on the economy and our communities if colleges received funding and resource for targeted adult education on a much wider scale.”

Today, a group of MPs and peers from across parliament are coming together for the first session of the APPG on Further Education and Lifelong Learning’s inquiry into adult education. The focus will be economic growth, skills and workforce needs.

Leaders from colleges across the country said that the FCfJ funding had been transformational for their learners, and by extension, the local economy.

At Luminate College Group in Leeds, 89.9% of learners enrolled on FCfJ have gone on to positive outcomes, including jobs as teaching assistants, cabin crew and in counselling.

Jo Dye, Director of Adult Learning and Skills at Luminate Education Group, said: “Free Courses for Jobs has transformed the prospects of many of our adult learners, giving them opportunities to upskill or change careers that would otherwise have been out of reach.”

At Dudley College of Technology, in 2024/25, almost 80% of learners went on to positive destinations after completing a FCfJ qualification, with 32% going into paid employment for 16 hours or more per week, and 26% going on to further education.

Diana Martin, Principal and CEO of Dudley College of Technology, said: “Free Courses for Jobs are transforming people’s lives by opening up new opportunities to retrain, build confidence and step into meaningful employment.

“We’re seeing adults of all ages gain the skills that local employers urgently need, helping them move into growing industries and strengthening our wider economy. These programmes are breaking down barriers to learning and proving that it’s never too late to build a new career.”

At Birmingham Metropolitan College (BMet), in the 2024/25 academic year, 90% of learners went into positive destinations, with 45% going into further education, and 20% into paid employment or self-employment.

Anna Jackson, Deputy Principal at BMet said: “It’s always great to see adults taking the step to return to learning. Our progression data shows that when people do, they go on to progress in their careers. For adults who may be out of work or looking to improve their career prospects, Free Courses for Jobs provides a fantastic opportunity to upskill and gain valuable qualifications. That’s what makes further education so powerful, it gives people the chance to keep learning, retraining and evolving throughout their adult lives.”