Adult skills budget expanded to educate those on benefits

The government has allocated more funding towards the adult skills budget for a new ‘Freedom and Flexibilities’ scheme, which provides funding opportunities for course programmes to those who are currently out of employment.

Those who are actively seeking employment while on benefits will have the opportunity to apply for fully funded training courses in order to take qualifications up to Level 4. The idea is to improve an individual’s qualifications while employment is scarce, without endangering their receipt of benefits.

Funding also stretches to self-employed hairdressers who wish to obtain the NVQ Level 3 through Dimensions, a company which offers these types of courses.

The programme provides financial help to those experiencing difficulty in finding employment in a way that allows them to boost their chances through education.

Andy Heseltine, chief executive of Dimensions, is particularly thrilled with the announcement.

“Our learners today will become tomorrows’ technicians, supervisors, salon managers and top stylists and is excellent news that funding changes are making training even more accessible,” said Heseltine.

“These changes are very welcome and give more freedom and flexibility to those that find themselves unemployed and wanting an opportunity to gain qualifications at the same time as upskilling themselves due to the impact the economic climate is having across the country.”

All funding will become available this month throughout Dimensions academies and other institutions offering the ‘Freedom and Flexibilities’ courses.

Daisy Atkinson