Adult Education Budget devolution

Following the approval of the Level 2 Devolution Deal on 28 November 2023, Cornwall Council will have powers devolved for the commissioning of Adult Education Budget (AEB) service delivery from the academic year 2025/26. These powers are currently held by the Department for Education (DfE).

In preparation for the transfer of these devolved powers, we are required to submit evidence to the Department for Education, including an agreed AEB Strategic Skills Plan and evidence that we have robust policies and procedures in place to properly manage these responsibilities.

We have secured DfE funding to employ three members of staff to prepare for and implement the AEB devolution. The new team is now leading the development of a draft AEB Strategic Skills Plan for Cornwall.

To maximise the opportunities of devolution and to ensure a smooth transition, we are keen to engage with current learning organisations and other local stakeholders that may have an interest in the devolution of the Adult Education Budget and future delivery of learning under that budget. We will provide regular updates on how the process is going.

For more information about the devolution process, please see:

• Briefing note for providers
• Webinar for training providers - presentation slides and video (see elsewhere on this page)

Draft AEB Strategic Skills Plan

Our Adult Education Budget (AEB) Strategic Skills Plan will set out our long-term strategy for the delivery of Adult Education in Cornwall. The plan highlights the skills challenges and opportunities across the region and sets out how the Adult Education Budget will help us deliver the key skills priorities set out in the Local Skills and Labour Market Strategy:

We asked for feedback on the draft AEB Strategic Skills Plan by Sunday 25 February 2024. The feedback helped to inform the final plan.