DEVOLUTION IN ACTION: COMMISSIONING BEGINS FOR NEW CITY REGION SKILLS PROVIDERS

Published 18 December 2020 at 2:38pm

As part of its Devolution Deal, the Sheffield City Region Mayoral Combined Authority will take responsibility for devolved Adult Education Budget (AEB) from August 1st, 2021 and will commission adult skills provision for the residents of Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield.

The procurement exercise is open to any organisation who would like to deliver provision funded through the devolved adult education budget to South Yorkshire residents.  It’s a chance to be part of devolution in action. The tender process opens today, 18 December.

Cllr Sir Stephen Houghton CBE, Chair of the Sheffield City Region Education, Skills and Employability Board, said:

“We’re embarking on a new journey with adult education in South Yorkshire. Improving skills at all ages can make a real difference to all our futures, so we’re shaping South Yorkshire’s skills agenda to meet our region’s unique needs and to support our residents to be the best they can be.

“Together we can increase the supply of skills to support the key sectors, deliver the skills needed for the future, make learning more inclusive to support everyone, and unlock opportunities for progression.”

The adult education budget funds colleges, local authorities, training providers, voluntary, third sector and community organisations to provide support to both employed and unemployed residents, helping them to acquire the skills they need to move into or progress in a job, a traineeship, an apprenticeship or further learning.

Nigel Brewster, vice-chair of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), added:

“This is an exciting opportunity for our region. We are transforming our approach to local skills delivery to make sure our residents have the skills they need to get jobs in local businesses. There are several growth industries that will require specific skills in the future, such as advanced manufacturing and digital.

“Supporting people to find and get on in work and backing businesses to grow is critical to our region’s recovery from the Coronavirus pandemic.”

Transforming adult education is part of the Mayoral Combined Authority’s Renewal Action Plan promise to give a hand up for people to improve their skills, get back to work, remain and progress in work.

Providers interested in responding to this opportunity can apply on YORtender, and can sign up to the mailing list to get the latest updates by emailing aeb@sheffieldcityregion.org.uk. 

People can find out more about the adult education budget on the Sheffield City Region website.