• £52m Adult Skills Fund for 2024/25 revealed 

• Record 37,000 learners supported last year – with 75% living in disadvantaged areas 

• More than £12m invested in Skills Bootcamps and £3.6m in Free Courses for Jobs  

The Liverpool City Region is investing £68m in adult training to help thousands of people gain the skills they need to secure better jobs and higher wages. 

The funding will ensure that residents can access high-quality training opportunities, tackling skills shortages and meeting the needs of local employers. It also marks another step forward in the region’s push to take control of skills funding and design training that works for local people. 

Among the recommendations going to the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority next Friday (7th March) are: 

• £52m to support further education colleges, councils, and independent training providers across the region. 
• £12.3m for Skills Bootcamps – a rise of £1.3m – to support short, intensive courses that lead directly to jobs. 
• £3.6m to fund Free Courses for Jobs, helping adults gain Level 3 (A-level equivalent) qualifications. 
• New powers secured to fund and design technical qualifications based on local employer needs, ensuring the region’s workforce is fit for the future. 

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: 

“When I left school at 16, there weren’t many opportunities for working-class kids like me. I know that for too many people in our region, it’s still the same today. That’s why we’re taking action – not just talking about improving skills but investing of millions pounds to make it happen. 

“This funding means thousands more people will have the chance to gain qualifications, access better-paid jobs, and secure a brighter future for themselves and their families. It’s local decision-making in action – helping our people, boosting our businesses, and growing our economy.” 

Since taking control of the Adult Skills Budget in 2019, the Combined Authority has prioritised training that delivers real benefits for local people and employers, with nearly 300,000 residents benefitting. In the last year alone, the Adult Skills Fund supported 37,680 learners – the highest number since devolution began – with 75% from disadvantaged areas.  

Despite a £1.8m reduction in central funding, the Combined Authority has protected allocations to local councils and colleges, ensuring that training providers can continue to deliver for learners. 

On March 7, the Combined Authority will meet to approve the funding and formally vote to accept new powers over Level 3 technical qualifications for adults.  

Mayor Rotheram added: 

“For too long, people in our area have been held back – not by a lack of talent, but by a lack of opportunity. Devolution has given us the power to change that. By taking greater control of skills funding, we’re ensuring that local people have access to high-quality training that leads to good, secure jobs. 

“This is just another step towards making our region the best place in the country to grow up, grow a family and grow a business.”