Purpose

Acceptance of grant funding from Greater Manchester Combined Authority to Wigan Council from the Adult Skills Fund ( formally known as the Adult Education Budget/AEB) and to enter into a Grant Funding Agreement between GMCA and Wigan Council for the delivery of GMCA ASF learning for 2024/2025.

This is a national fund, devolved through GMCA to provide the funding of Adult Learning opportunities to Wigan residents via direct delivery of learning through the Wigan Council Adult Learning and Skills team and also by sub-contractors through procurement.
The principle purpose of the AEB funding is to engage adults and provide them with the skills needed for entering and sustaining work, an apprenticeship / traineeship, or other further learning. In the Wigan Borough, this means high quality provision that leads to demonstrable improvements in opportunities, positive outcomes for individuals and clear progression pathways for our residents, with a clear line of sight into the local labour market and future economic development opportunities.
With this funding all provision aims to:
• Maximise access to learning for young people and adults, bringing new opportunities and improving lives, whatever their circumstances.
• Maximise the impact of learning on the social and economic well-being of individuals, families, and communities.
• Support progress to job outcomes- training that leads to employability.
• Support health and well-being outcomes where appropriate

Decision

The Executive Leader (Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Regeneration):

(1)        accepts the Devolved Greater Manchester Adult Skills Fund (ASF) grant award described in the report and authorise entry into the grant funding agreement in the substantive form shown at Appendix 1 of the report; and

(2)        authorises the Assistant Director, Legal Governance and Elections to enter into any agreements to facilitate (1) on behalf of the Council