Future teachers, carers and nurses could be held back from realising their potential if proposed cuts to community learning courses go ahead, the LGA has warned.
As part of its plans to upskill people for jobs, the Government has been consulting on reforms to the adult skills funding system which include increasing technical skills.
However, councils are concerned the proposals will curtail adult learning provision that supports health and wellbeing and helps build local communities.
Courses under threat include: family learning and healthy eating; helping residents manage their household budgets; studying English; and learning digital skills. GPs also use them as a social prescribing tool to help those experiencing loneliness and depression.
Many adults – including those with the lowest qualifications, low confidence, those out of work for some time, including for health reasons, or wanting to change career – use these ‘first steps’ courses to engage in learning.
With dedicated support, many go on to further learning and to fill vacancies in shortage roles, including teaching, social care, and nursing.
Councils say the current plans, which focus activity solely on achieving employment for all learners, will have unintended consequences for the Government’s ambition for growth, as it will reduce local options for people looking to increase their skills and manage life’s challenges.
Cllr Kevin Bentley, Chairman of the LGA’s People and Places Board, said: “Providing people with the means to upskill and increase their opportunities, including encouraging older people and those with little or no qualifications into work, will be ultimately how we boost growth, spread prosperity and help to level up the country.”