Fully-funded training opportunities to help Surrey residents start and prosper in work will go live from September thanks to the first tranche of devolved adult skills funding.
As part of the County Deal secured in 2024, responsibilities and funding worth millions of pounds have been transferred from Whitehall to Surrey County Council.
This provides greater local oversight and control over skills and training opportunities for local residents. In time, it will support wider efforts to grow the regional economy.
A full list of those providing opportunities in Surrey will be available via our Provider Directory in the coming weeks.
What is devolved adult skills funding?
Surrey’s total adult education package for the next financial year includes £11.2 million in the Adult Skills Fund. This which equips adults with the skills needed for get into work and progress their career. Subjects include English, Maths and Digital Skills.
The council’s cabinet this week (30 June, 2026) approved the approach to award the funding to training providers and colleges for the coming academic year.
The paper outlined how direct grants have been provisionally awarded to 13 local providers to continue delivering courses from September.
Further sums will be allocated via a competitive process.
All awards are subject to approval of a delivery plan and cabinet member sign off. These are expected in the coming weeks.
The devolved adult skills package also includes £1 million to deliver Free Courses for Jobs. This provides Level 2 and Level 3 courses for low-earners and those currently out of work. £180,000 is ring-fenced to construction.
A further round of Skills Bootcamps worth £1.5 million is also confirmed. This ensures hundreds of Surrey residents will receive free fast-track training in growing sectors.
The Post-16 Capacity Fund is worth £7.7 million. It funds capital improvements to classrooms and teaching spaces in further education and sixth form colleges, ensuring future learner demand can be met.
Any provider can submit an application to deliver Adult Skills Fund or Free Courses for Jobs via the Business Surrey website by Wednesday July 8.
“Skills to help people, employers and economy to grow”
Matt Furniss, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth, said: “Surrey has a vibrant diverse economy worth £50 billion a year – but we know that not everyone is benefiting from the opportunities on offer, with nearly 27,000 residents currently out of work who want to work.
“Investing in providing people with the skills they need to start or progress in work is one way we can address this.
“With adult skills funding now devolved, we will be able to use local evidence and local connections to further develop an approach that works for Surrey, helping our people, employers and wider economy to grow.”
Full details of those providing courses will be available on the STEP Surrey website when live.
