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<p>Through the adult education budget (AEB), we fully fund or co-fund skills provision
for eligible adults aged 19 and above from pre-entry to level 3, to support adults
to gain the skills they need for work, an apprenticeship or further learning. This
includes fully funded first full level 2 and/or level 3 for learners aged 19 to 23.</p><p>Learners
in receipt of low wage (£17,374.50 annual gross salary or less) who would previously
have been co-funded, are eligible for full funding following the earlier low wage
trial that operated in the 2018/19 and the 2019/20 academic years. This directly supports
social mobility by enabling those that have been motivated to move out of unemployment
and are low paid or skilled, to further progress.</p><p>We specifically recognise
the importance of English, mathematics and digital skills, both in work and everyday
life. That is why we are continuing to support participation in these areas to meet
employers’ needs and support people to progress in employment or further study.</p><p>We
provide full funding for learners who need English and mathematics skills to undertake
a range of courses in GCSEs, Functional Skills and other relevant qualifications from
entry level to level 2. We also fully or co-fund adults to take English for Speakers
of Other Languages as part of our wider effort to improve adult literacy in England.</p><p>Adults
with no or low digital skills are fully funded to undertake new Essential Digital
Skills Qualifications at entry level and level 1, based on new national standards
for essential digital skills, which equip learners with the digital skills needed
for life, work and further study.</p><p>We also support training for adults in community
settings through the AEB. Prioritised for disadvantaged learners, community learning
can provide a 'stepping stone' for those adults who are not ready for formal accredited
learning, or who would benefit from learning in a more informal way.</p><p>The department
is reviewing post-16 qualifications at level 3 and below, to ensure that every qualification
approved for public funding has a distinct purpose, is high quality and supports progression
to positive outcomes. We recognise that level 2 and below study serves students with
a diverse range of needs, and that some young people and adults studying at these
levels may require additional support to help realise their ambitions.</p><p>One of
the first steps to realise our ambitions for level 2 and below study is a government
call for evidence, which launched on 12 November 2020. It gives the education sector,
industry, and others with an interest in study at these levels the opportunity to
share their views on how the level 2 and below system can best work in the context
of our proposed reforms to level 3 qualifications. The level 2 and below call for
evidence closed on 14 February. We will set out further proposals later this year.
The call for evidence is available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/post-16-study-at-level-2-and-below-call-for-evidence"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/post-16-study-at-level-2-and-below-call-for-evidence</a>.</p>
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