As of August 2024, the Adult Education Budget (AEB) has been replaced with the Adult Skills Fund (ASF). Though there are lots of similarities between the two, there are some differences that training providers, colleges and universities should know.
The ASF is a government-funded programme that finances the delivery of education and training for learners aged 19 or over, and can be accessed via local training providers or colleges.
It can be used to take on new skills, improve job prospects and move into further education. The ASF provides adults with the skills they need to progress in work or equip them for an apprenticeship, much like its previous iteration, the AEB.
This new fund is designed to be a more simplified and refined version of the AEB programme, making it easier to claim money and bolster learning opportunities.
The ASF combines the AEB, free courses for jobs and community learning funds under a single header. This new programme also encompasses a sizable range of qualifications, including technical and professional training, as well as basic language skills courses.
While both are similar, the ASF offers greater opportunities to deliver personalised learning compared to the AEB. It can provide additional tailored support to help participants realise outcomes beyond formal education.
This could include improving their overall physical health, for example, or equipping parents and carers with the tools they need to oversee their child’s learning. Providers, colleges and universities are now allocated a specific portion of their overall ASF budget to spend on provisions that support these wider needs, depending on their prior history.
This variation means that new funding rules have replaced existing AEB guidelines. It’s important to check the eligibility criteria and how these changes may affect you.
The ASF can fund:
It can also fund traineeships for unemployed learners aged 19 to 24, including additional units, awards and certificates. This should contribute toward a flexible traineeship that supports an applicant with occupationally-specific knowledge and skills.
Funds from the ASF are commonly spent on continuing professional development.
Instead of all funding being handled by the ESFA, different regions in the UK are responsible for distributing the ASF. This prevents funding from being driven by overarching national priorities. Instead, money can be better attuned to the local needs of a specific region.
The following areas are responsible for administering the ASF:
The ASF has a few key alterations to its rules compared to the AEB that affect residency terms and funding eligibility in particular.
You can read the full ESFA funding rules document here. It includes a regularly updated list of changes and alterations.
The AEB has now been fully replaced by the ASF. Providers should take the time to learn and understand the new system in order to best benefit from additional funding opportunities.
Examine your own learners and determine if any will be affected by the new programme and funding rules. College and university providers should ensure that all visa requirements are adhered to and are in line with the above changes.
Visit the Education and Skills Funding Agency website for the full 2024/25 funding rules document here. For details on how providers will earn their funding, you can also view the 2024/25 ASF rates and formula guidance document here.
Bud is a joined-up training management platform, designed to streamline the processes involved in delivering apprenticeships and skills training.
Bud is built to support compliance every step of the way, from onboarding to end-point assessment. For every learner’s programme, Bud dynamically generates a centralised evidence pack so that you can confidently claim your funding.
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