The Landscape of Funding in Further Education

The further education and skills sector is at a pivotal moment. With the continued roll-out of devolved funding and the growing pressure to align provision with local economic priorities, understanding the future of FE and skills funding has never been more critical. From adult skills and Skills Bootcamps to core qualifications and employer-led training, the funding landscape is becoming increasingly complex, and increasingly local.

This free, high-impact webinar brings together three key voices from across the sector to help make sense of these changes: an independent training provider (ITP), a further education college, and a combined authority. Through shared insights, real-world examples and forward-looking discussion, this session will offer a deeper understanding of what’s happening on the ground, what’s coming next, and how providers can prepare.

Luke Muskat, Chief Executive of B2W Group, will offer the ITP perspective, reflecting on how recent funding shifts, particularly those affecting adult education budgets and Bootcamp commissioning, have influenced delivery models, employer engagement strategies and organisational planning. Luke will explore the balance between innovation and compliance, and how independent providers are responding to rising expectations from both learners and regional authorities.

Joining him will be Patrik Knowles from DN Colleges Group, who will share how colleges are navigating the current funding pressures, particularly in the context of adult skills delivery and meeting local skills improvement plan (LSIP) targets. He will speak to the challenges of aligning curriculum with local labour market needs while working within increasingly devolved and competitive funding systems. From short courses to employer partnerships, Patrik will outline what’s working, and what needs to change.

Completing the panel is Fliss Miller, representing a combined authority, who will provide a strategic overview of how devolved powers are shaping the future of skills funding. Fliss will discuss the authority’s approach to targeting investment where it matters most, supporting sectors with growth potential, upskilling adults in priority areas, and ensuring that Skills Bootcamps are relevant, responsive and impactful. She will also highlight what combined authorities expect from their provider networks and how they’re working to build stronger, long-term partnerships with colleges and ITPs.

This discussion will go beyond short-term funding concerns to address the wider picture: how providers and authorities can work together to meet the urgent need for place-based skills planning, how funding decisions are increasingly driven by economic priorities, and how adult learners can be better supported to access high-quality, flexible training that leads to real outcomes.

Participants will gain valuable insights into:

• The future of adult skills funding in a devolved context

• The commissioning and delivery of Skills Bootcamps and short-course models

• Meeting regional and local skills needs through curriculum design and employer engagement

• What Combined Authorities are looking for from provider relationships

• How to prepare your organisation for the evolving funding landscape in 2025 and beyond

Whether you’re a leader, a manager or a specialist working in funding, curriculum, strategy or compliance, this is a must-attend session. As funding becomes increasingly tied to place-based economic outcomes, understanding how to navigate devolved priorities, and how to influence them, is essential.

Reserve your free place now and be part of the conversation shaping the future of further education and skills delivery across the UK.