What could Andy Burnham's devolution agenda mean for skills?

How could devolution change the way skills are funded, delivered and supported across England?

With Andy Burnham reaffirming his commitment to the devolution agenda, questions are growing around what greater regional control could mean for the skills system, from adult skills funding to careers advice and support for employers.

In the latest episode of Steph on Skills: Powered by Enginuity, Steph is joined by Dr Jamie Mackay, recently appointed Head of Skills at the Hampshire and Solent Combined County Authority, to explore the potential impact of these changes.

What could change for skills funding?

One of the biggest areas of change is the planned devolution of adult skills funding from next year. Jamie discusses what this could mean for local authorities and regional decision-makers, including the potential for greater influence over how funding is allocated to meet local skills needs.

The conversation also looks ahead to the possible future devolution of funding for 16–18-year-olds, and what this could mean for further education, lifelong learning and the wider skills landscape.

But funding is only one part of the picture. Steph and Jamie explore how regional approaches could better connect employers, education and training providers, and careers support to address skills gaps and respond to local priorities.

Addressing regional skills challenges

With different regions facing different economic and workforce challenges, the discussion considers how devolved decision-making could help develop more responsive approaches to skills provision.

Jamie shares his perspective on the importance of understanding regional industries and clusters, working collaboratively with providers and ensuring that decisions are underpinned by accountability and transparency.

They also explore what a system-wide support model could look like, including the role of accessible, face-to-face careers advice in helping people understand their options and navigate pathways into employment.

Measuring success and looking ahead

As responsibilities continue to shift towards regional decision-makers, how will success be measured?

The episode considers the importance of clear pathways, effective collaboration and ensuring that skills provision delivers meaningful outcomes for individuals, employers and local economies.

With further changes on the horizon, the conversation highlights the opportunities and challenges of creating a skills system that is better connected to the needs of different regions.

Watch episode 41

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