Tees Valley adult education budget commission portal now open

December 14th 2018

The commissioning process for the devolution of Tees Valley’s Adult Education Budget has now been launched, as the Tees Valley Combined Authority and Mayor take responsibility for the region’s post-19 education budget.

From August 1 next year, the Mayor and Combined Authority will be responsible for an indicative annual £30.5million budget from the 2019/2020 academic year. The powers will encompass adult education delivery, funding, and performance management for Tees Valley residents.

Now, all the information providers need, and the documents required, have been made available at teesvalley-ca.gov.uk/adult-education.

Ahead of the new academic year, the Combined Authority is looking for adult education providers to present their delivery plans for appraisal to be considered for a funding agreement.

Two information events are also being held to provide guidance for applicants and to allow them to gain information and advice about the process. The first will take place on Monday 10 December and the second on Wednesday 12 December.

Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Taking control of our Adult Education Budget is helping us to fund the providers that have a quality skills offer for Tees Valley learners and businesses, which will make the biggest impact, while giving the taxpayer the best value for money.

“Having this funding in our hands will help us to invest in home-grown talent and equip people with the skills to fill the roles that businesses are crying out for – and it’s down to devolution and because we agreed to a directly elected Mayor.

“It will help us create a more dynamic education offer to learners and businesses and work more closely with our significant training providers across public, private and community sectors.” 

Councillor Christopher Akers-Belcher, Combined Authority Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills and leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “This is the next step in delivering top-quality adult education to those who need it, in a way that links more closely than ever to the Combined Authority’s aims of increasing access to training, job creation, and making Tees Valley a fantastic place to live and work.

“We know we have great providers out there so, to get the best for our residents, I’d ask them to respond and not miss out.”