Have your say on adult education in Peterborough and Cambridgeshire

In August 2019, the mayoral authority took on responsibility for the area’s share of the adult education budget, and now it is now putting in place arrangements for an evaluation of the approach.

As part of this a survey has been launched with a focus on five areas:

• Increasing Adult Participation in Peterborough and Fenland

• Entitlement of Level 3 Qualifications - Lifetime Skills Guarantee

• Digital Skills Entitlement

• Workforce Development and Low Wage provision

• Supporting the Education and Training Sector.

Alongside the consultation process, the combined authority will be hosting a roundtable meeting on Thursday, February 25 with stakeholders to gather their views on proposed changes.

Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough James Palmer said: “In many ways the combined authority controlling the adult education budget is one of the most direct ways we can intervene to improve peoples’ lives.

“We have shifted the focus of the entire programme from leisure and social courses to key vocational skills; the types of courses to give people the chance to improve their prospects and get that job they have always wanted. And now we want to go further.

“Proposed changes are outlined within the following consultation questions and we welcome any feedback from our providers, stakeholders and residents to inform our thinking as we continue to develop and shape the delivery of AEB in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

“Responses from this consultation will be used to support the ongoing development of our long-term vision for skills, the AEB funding rules and the people section of the Local industrial Strategy, and the refresh of the Skills Strategy which is due later this year.”

The consultation lasts until 10am on Monday, March 1. The survey can be found by visiting https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/WXBZYML.