The purpose of the adult skills fund (ASF) is to support adult learners in non-devolved areas to gain skills for meaningful, sustained, and relevant employment or progress to further learning that supports this goal.

Funding overview

ASF provides funding for level 1 to level 3 learning.

ASF includes 4 legal entitlements for full funding as set out in the Apprenticeships, Skills and Children Learning Act 2009. and enable eligible learners to be fully funded for the following qualifications:

• English and maths up to level 2 for those aged 19 and over who have not achieved a GCSE grade A* to C or grade 4 or higher, and/or have been assessed as having an existing skill level lower than grade 4 (even if they have previously achieved a GCSE or equivalent qualification in English or maths)
• first full qualification at level 2 for those aged 19 to 23
• first full qualification at level 3 for those aged 19 to 23
• Essential Digital Skills Qualifications (EDSQ) or Digital Functional Skills Qualifications (FSQ), up to level 1, for those aged 19 and over, with assessed digital skills below level 1

Learners earning below £25,750, or who are unemployed can also receive full funding for qualifications within policy entitlements, including:

• free courses for jobs
• level 2 local flexibility
• heavy goods vehicle (HGV) training
• 19 to 24 work placements
• Sector-based Work Academy Programme (SWAP)
• The King’s Trust (formerly Prince’s Trust)
• English for speakers of other languages (ESOL)

Learners who do not qualify for free funding can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan.

More information can be found in the Adult Skills Fund funding and performance management rules.

Free courses for Jobs (FCFJ)

FCFJ is funded through ASF. It offers targeted support for adults who are unemployed or earning below £25,750 annually to take specific level 2 and level 3 qualifications.  

A list of all FCFJ qualifications is available on GOV.UK. 

Eligible learners may receive full funding for their chosen qualification, removing the need for an Advanced Learner Loan.

Provider Responsibilities

For adults aged 19 and above undertaking FCFJ level 3 qualifications you must:

• check a learner’s eligibility for full funding under the Level 3 criteria before they apply. Record this in the learner’s file. The eligibility criteria is detailed in the ASF funding rules.
• if the learner has not used their FCFJ entitlement, inform them before they apply for funding.
• Do not offer a loan-funded place if the learner qualifies for level 3 funding through FCFJ.

If a loan-funded place was offered in error

Submit a fee-charged change of circumstance (CoC) through the Learning Provider Portal to reduce the learner’s fee liability to zero. Leave the application at approved status. We will recover any overpayment from future loans payments or invoice you if payments are insufficient

Advanced Learner Loans only providers

Providers with only a loans agreement or contract cannot offer level 3 FCFJ provision.

If a learner wishes to use their eligibility direct them to the National Careers Service for alternative providers.

Learner choice and eligibility

If a learner chooses to apply for a loan instead of using level 3 FCFJ funding inform the, that this may affect future eligibility. Document this in their learner file.

Learners may also qualify for additional level 3 qualifications under FCFJ. Check eligibility and refer to Department for Education (DfE) flow charts for guidance.  

Further support

For more help, visit the DfE customer help centre or contact your DfE case manager.