Published: 01 July 2026
Fully-funded training opportunities to help Surrey residents start and prosper in work will go live from September thanks to the first tranche of devolved adult skills funding.
As part of the County Deal secured in 2024, responsibilities and funding worth millions of pounds have been transferred from Whitehall to Surrey County Council.
This provides greater local oversight and control over skills and training opportunities for local residents. In time, it will support wider efforts to grow the regional economy.
Surrey’s total adult education package for the next financial year includes £11.2 million in the Adult Skills Fund, which equips adults with the skills needed for get into work and progress their career. This includes English, Maths and Digital Skills.
The council’s cabinet this week (30 June, 2026) approved the approach (PDF) to award the funding to training providers and colleges for the coming academic year.
The paper outlined how direct grants have been provisionally awarded to 13 local providers to continue delivering courses from September.
Further sums will be allocated via a competitive process.
All awards are subject to approval of a delivery plan and cabinet member sign off, which is expected in the coming weeks.
Matt Furniss, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth, said: “Surrey has a vibrant diverse economy worth £50 billion a year – but we know that not everyone is benefiting from the opportunities on offer, with nearly 27,000 residents currently out of work who want to work.
“Investing in providing people with the skills they need to start or progress in work is one way we can address this.
“With adult skills funding now devolved, we will be able to use local evidence and local connections to further develop an approach that works for Surrey, helping our people, employers and wider economy to grow.”
The devolved adult skills package also includes £1 million to deliver Free Courses for Jobs. This provides Level 2 and Level 3 courses for low-earners and those currently out of work. About £180,000 of this is ring-fenced to construction.
A further round of Skills Bootcamps worth £1.5 million ensures hundreds of Surrey residents will receive free fast-track training in growing sectors.
The Post-16 Capacity Fund worth £7.7 million will fund capital improvements to classrooms and teaching spaces in further education and sixth form colleges, ensuring future learner demand can be met.
Any provider can submit an application to deliver Adult Skills Fund or Free Courses for Jobs via the Business Surrey website by Wednesday July 8.
Full details of those providing courses will be available on the STEP Surrey website, which is Surrey’s single gateway for those looking to find a job, gain new skills and get support into work.
Digital skills courses on offer at Guildford College
Cllr Matt Furniss - right - at a construction Skills Bootcamp