The Skills Funding Agency will fund and regulate adult further education and skills in England.
There will be four direct routes into training for employers and learners – Train to Gain, the National Apprenticeship Service and the Adult Advancement and Careers Service, as well as further education colleges and training organisations.
The Further Education and Skills budget for 2010/11 is £3.5bn, which will support training for an estimated 3.4m adult learners.
Establishment of this new system follows publication of the Skills for Growth strategy last year and Royal Assent being granted to the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act in November 2009.
Under the Act, local authorities will take on responsibility for securing education and training for all 16 to 19 year olds.
April 1st also sees the Young People’s Learning Agency taking up its responsibilities in 16 to 19-year-old provision, working with Government and local authorities to help develop and deliver their vision and plans for young people's learning.
