Adult Education Wolverhampton has been awarded £675,000 in additional grant funding from the West Midlands Combined Authority to expand adult and community learning in the city.
The investment recognises the significant contribution the City of Wolverhampton Council-run provider is making to support strong, healthy and inclusive communities. Adult Education Wolverhampton plays a vital role in improving numeracy, literacy, English language, and digital skills in addition to higher level skills for employment.
The service also operates across the city with the Department of Work and Pensions and key employers to support residents into work. The new funding will allow its Adult and Community Learning service to extend its reach even further, providing enhanced support for residents who are currently out of work.
This includes helping individuals build confidence, improve wellbeing, and prepare for employment, self‑employment, volunteering or further study. Councillor Chris Burden, Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs and Skills, said: "This additional funding is a great endorsement of the work Adult Education Wolverhampton is doing to support our residents – and we are proud that Wolverhampton is one of only five areas in the West Midlands to receive this investment.
"We know that engaging people in their neighbourhoods and supporting them to identify their individual goals and aspirations – while also helping them to remove any barriers with wraparound support – can be transformative. Improving skills not only builds confidence and resilience but also enhances wellbeing and opens up access to better opportunities.
“It also helps ensure that every resident, no matter their background, has the chance to learn and contribute to their city.” Among those benefiting from the support available is Prabjot Kaur (pic).
She began her learning journey with Adult Education Wolverhampton after discovering Family Learning sessions at St Luke’s Primary School. As a single mother wanting to build a better future for herself and her children, she started with Digital Skills for Parents and Online Safety for Parents, which boosted her confidence and encouraged her to continue learning.
She went on to join Phonics for Parents and community-based English classes. Reflecting on her journey, Prabjot said: “I really struggled with confidence and believing in myself.
"As a single mother of three children, it was difficult to find time to do something for myself. The Family Learning sessions helped me believe in myself again and helped me to be me again.”
Commenting on the funding, Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Making learning opportunities available to people close to their homes can change lives.
"Community learning can be a great steppingstone to further learning – preparing people for work and getting them on the path to a rewarding career. But the benefits are not just economic, it enables people to make meaningful connections that support their overall health and wellbeing.
“That’s why I have committed £10m to help provide skills training to marginalised communities as part of my Growth Plan."
