More than a hundred guests gathered at Leeds Civic Hall yesterday
(24 June) to celebrate inspirational adult learners from across
West Yorkshire, as Mayor announced £12 million to
expand skills and training opportunities across the region.
The West Yorkshire Adult Learner Awards, now in its second year
running, recognised the exceptional achievements of learners aged
nineteen and over who have transformed their lives through adult
education.
The winners included Caitlin Moisey, recognised for her
outstanding contributions to the field of pharmacy, and Guillaume
Junior Atangana and Donard Ndim Nyamjua, two refugee athletes
studying at Bradford College, who were jointly awarded a Special
Commendation for their inspirational journey from Cameroon to the
Paris Paralympic Games.
The £12 million uplift in skills funding, set to deliver courses
up to July 2026, will be split between basic skills and
employment-focused training. This includes opportunities to gain
essential English, Maths, Digital and ESOL (English for Speakers
of Other Languages) qualifications, alongside Sector-based Work
Academy Programmes (SWAPs) in industries like health and social
care, and construction.
The funding is a part of Mayor Brabin's £65 million Adult Skills
Fund, which is supporting over 40,000 learners year on year to
better their lives through training and work.
, Mayor of West Yorkshire,
said:
“These inspirational learners prove that it's never too late to
learn new skills, embark on exciting new careers, and put more
money in your families' pockets while pursuing a new passion in
life.
“When I was elected, I pledged to make West Yorkshire a region of
learning and creativity, and with our multimillion-pound boost to
adult skills, we are delivering on that promise.
“By investing in essential skills like English and Maths
alongside technical qualifications in sectors like construction
and childcare, we're equipping people with the skills they need
to succeed, supporting local businesses, and building a stronger,
brighter economy for all."
Through innovative partnerships with employers, training
providers and the region's seven Further Education colleges, the
Mayor's investment in adult skills is helping to upskill learners
into real jobs in the local labour market, getting people into
well-paid employment while supporting businesses to grow and
succeed.
West Yorkshire's multibillion-pound Local Growth Plan sets out
the Mayor's ambition to build a region of learning and
creativity, where people of all ages and backgrounds can access
the qualifications, skills and employment support they need to
fill skills shortages and fulfil their potential.
Over 47,000 adult learners benefitted from support from the West
Yorkshire Combined Authority over the past academic year, with a
significant uptake in skills training among disabled learners,
ethnic minority learners and young learners.
Some local training providers have also delivered innovative
wraparound support for learners, benefitting both their families
and their wider communities. This includes Aim2Learn tackling
food insecurity by offering free breakfasts to their adult
learners, and extending this support to young carers in
partnership with local schools.
Councillor , Leader of Leeds City Council,
said:
“A huge congratulations to all the winners at the adult learners
awards ceremony, it was fantastic to be able to host this event
at Leeds Civic Hall.
“The achievements of everyone in the room highlight the immense
value of lifelong learning, which is absolutely critical to
keeping our cities and region thriving. Adult education not only
empowers individuals; it builds a more skilled, resilient
workforce and drives economic growth right across Leeds and West
Yorkshire."
Stuart Littlewood, Managing Director of Leeds-based
Aim2Learn, said:
“The phrase 'life-changing' is something we hear time and again
from our adult learners, which makes us so proud and this
investment from the Mayor of West Yorkshire is brilliant news.
“It will enable us, and many other providers, to work directly
with adults to not just simply tick a box, but retrain them for a
career they love. It also gives us the chance to support young
people, like through our breakfast clubs, to help make a
difference early on.”
