The Adult Skills Fund supports education and training for eligible adult learners aged 19 and over.

Legal entitlements

Eligible learners may be fully funded through the following national entitlement offers:

• English and maths - adults aged 19 and over who have not already achieved GCSE grade 4 (or equivalent) in English and/or maths can access approved provision up to and including Level 2, including GCSEs, Functional Skills qualifications and approved stepping stone qualifications.
• Essential digital skills - adults aged 19 and over who are assessed as having digital skills below Level 1 can access approved Essential Digital Skills Qualifications or Digital Functional Skills Qualifications up to and including Level 1.
• First full Level 2 - adults aged 19 to 23 who do not already hold a full Level 2 qualification can access approved Level 2 provision.
• First full Level 3 - adults aged 19 to 23 who do not already hold a full Level 3 qualification can access approved Level 3 provision.

In addition to the legal entitlements, other ASF funding routes support eligible adult learners aged 19 and over. This includes:

• Adults who are unemployed, economically inactive or on low earnings - eligible learners may be fully funded for Adult Skills Fund provision outside the legal entitlements, including Level 2 local flexibility, ESOL and Free Courses for Jobs, if they meet the relevant residency, prior attainment, qualification and earnings criteria. For 2026 to 2027, the national earnings threshold is £26,800 annual gross salary. Local rules may differ in devolved areas.
• Free Courses for Jobs - eligible adults may be fully funded for approved Free Courses for Jobs qualifications. Providers should check the approved qualifications list and the qualifications database to confirm current eligibility, as the offer includes approved Level 3 qualifications and some approved Level 2 qualifications.
• Adults requiring skills development below Level 2 - full or co-funding may be available for approved provision supporting progression into work, progression in work or further learning, including ESOL and other entry to Level 2 learning.
• Tailored learning - flexible provision, primarily non-qualification based, designed to support progression into employment or further learning, alongside wider outcomes such as confidence, wellbeing and community participation.
• Employment-focused provision - sector-based work academy programmes (SWAPs), HGV driver training, 19 to 24 work placements, The King’s Trust Team Programme and other pre-employment training linked to specific sectors or job opportunities, where eligible.