PROPOSALS to transform the delivery of adult skills training in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay have received backing from councillors.

Devon County Council’s Cabinet has approved plans to establish a new procurement framework capable of delivering up to £24 million of annual investment to support adults in gaining essential qualifications and improving job opportunities.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) currently provides funding to Devon County Council for a number of adult learning and training schemes, such as the Adult Skills Fund (ASF) and Train4Tomorrow Skills Bootcamps.

From April, the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority (DTCCA) is due to take on responsibility for the Adult Skills Fund and Free Courses for Jobs (FCFJ) from the DWP, with Devon County Council acting as the accountable body for the DTCCA.

The new ”Open Procurement Framework” will operate for three years, with scope to extend for a further two years. It will focus on procuring a range of high-quality providers who can respond to emerging and established priorities across the local economy.

The framework will be able to support the commissioning of: • up to £15 million per year for adult qualifications and training through ASF and FCFJ; • up to £7 million per year for skills bootcamps, employer-led training programmes of up to 16 weeks aligned to priority sectors; • up to £2 million per year for future skills initiatives or innovative pilots that may emerge.

In enabling the delivery of these adult skills programmes, it will respond to labour market shortages and future skills needs set out in the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), led by Devon Chamber of Commerce and the recently agreed Devon and Torbay Skills Plan (2025-2030). This new approach will address skills gaps identified by local businesses, ensuring that provision can support a range of needs aligned with local demand.

Councillor Simon Clist, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Assets and Resources, said: “The Council is supporting the delivery of a range of adult skills initiatives using external funding.

“They're all important and they're extremely successful; for example, since 2020, our Train4Tomorrow Skills Bootcamps have supported more than 6,000 adults to upskill or re-train for a new career. However, all of these training schemes require separate procurements which are time consuming and resource-intensive.

“This new procurement framework will be much more responsive than the current multiple procurement processes we currently have. Streamlining the process into a single framework will provide better value for money, while offering greater flexibility to commission provision as and when needed. And we’re continuing to work with employers and key stakeholders to ensure provision responds to local business needs and meets skills gaps.”

Delivery of these training initiatives supports the County Council’s strategic objectives by improving access to education and training, enhancing employability, supporting economic growth by addressing skills shortages and driving productivity across key sectors.

Procurement is expected to start in May this year, with providers due to be appointed on the framework in June to get delivery underway in July.