12.02.20
Adult Education Budget increased to £30.6m in Tees Valley
The Department for Education has announced a growth in the Budget for Adult Education in 2020/21 following successful support given to those aged 19 and over to learn and develop new skills.
Thanks to the devolution deal in the region, the funding will support additional powers to boost the delivery, funding and performance management of adult education in Tees Valley.
The multi million pound budget will also enable new skills programmes to be piloted, giving local people the opportunity to pursue a successful career in priority sectors such logistics, construction, healthcare and digital.
In August 2019, an initial budget of £29.5m was available to support learners aged 19 and over was devolved from central Government to under the control of Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen.
Mayor Houchen said:
“Thanks to our devolution deal and because we agreed to a directly elected Mayor, we are able to invest in home-grown talent and help thousands of people across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool get the skills they need to start on the path towards a successful career here in our region.
“I am delighted with the work we have done so far, but there is still more to do We can use this new pot of cash to prioritise the skills and the training our businesses are crying out for, allowing them to invest, grow and develop home-grown talent. We don’t just want to create well-paid, highly skilled jobs, we want them filled by local people.
“This is yet further proof of devolution working and shows the benefits of decisions being made by people not in London, but by those in our region who understand the needs of local people, and the priorities of local business.”
Today’s announcement of £30.5m comes on top of the £55m funding for education, employment and skills previously agreed in Tees Valley Investment Plan in January 2019.