The world of training has undergone a quiet revolution. From static classrooms and rigid qualifications to flexible, employer-responsive learning, the way we develop skills today is more dynamic, inclusive and outcome-focused than ever before. Shaped by digital transformation, funding reform and a growing emphasis on local accountability, the past decade has seen significant changes in how adult education is delivered. Now, with the continued rollout of devolved Adult Education Budgets (AEB) and the rise of place-based policymaking, the next chapter of skills training is just beginning.
At ETS, we’ve witnessed and embraced this evolution. Working with employers and learners across the South East, we’ve moved beyond traditional training models—adapting our methods to meet the real-world needs of individuals, industries and local communities.
From Courses to Careers: A Shift in Mindset
Where training once revolved around attendance and assessments, it is now judged by outcomes: jobs secured, skills gained and lives changed. Learners today expect more than qualifications; they want relevance, flexibility and clear progression routes. Employers, too, are demanding practical, work-ready skills over theory-heavy programmes.
This shift has led to a broader acceptance of modular training, blended learning and industry-led pathways such as Skills Bootcamps. These short, intensive programmes are redefining how people re-enter the workforce, change careers, or upskill in response to shifting job markets.
Technology has played a crucial role. Digital tools have not just enabled remote learning—they’ve enhanced engagement, improved tracking and made personalised learning more accessible. Equally important has been the rise in collaborative design: training that is shaped with employers, local authorities and community partners, ensuring it is responsive to local demand.
“We’re no longer asking learners to fit the system,” says Lee Johnson, CEO of ETS. “We’re building systems that fit learners—and the local economies they’ll be part of.”
Lee Johnson, CEO of ETS
AEB and Devolution: A New Era for Localised Skills
One of the most significant developments shaping the future of training delivery is the devolution of the Adult Education Budget. Regions including Greater London, the West Midlands and now more areas through emerging County Deals, are gaining greater control over how skills funding is allocated.
This marks a real step change. Devolved AEB allows for a more place-based approach—where skills delivery is tailored to the specific needs of a region’s economy, employers and population demographics. It supports innovation, flexibility and investment in programmes that deliver local impact.
For providers like ETS, this opens up new opportunities to design targeted training that directly supports local priorities—whether that’s green construction in Kent, rail infrastructure in Medway, or digital skills across coastal communities. It also creates more space for employer involvement, allowing training to be co-created, co-delivered and aligned with workforce demand.
This kind of localisation brings with it not only practical benefits but a renewed sense of purpose. Training is no longer a siloed public service—it is part of a broader ecosystem of growth, inclusion and regeneration.
Looking Forward: Integration, Inclusion and Innovation
As we look ahead, three themes will continue to define the evolution of training delivery:
Integration – Training must be embedded within wider regional strategies for employment, transport, housing and sustainability. Devolved authorities are increasingly looking for joined-up delivery, where training supports both economic and social priorities.
Inclusion – The future of adult education must focus on reaching those furthest from the labour market: people with barriers to learning, older workers seeking change and those impacted by structural inequalities. Modern delivery models—blended, supported, community-based—are helping make this possible.
Innovation – Whether through digital tools, employer partnerships, or performance-linked funding models, training must continue to adapt. Providers need the freedom—and the trust—to experiment with what works.
ETS: Preparing for What’s Next
At ETS, we are already aligning our delivery with these emerging priorities. We work with local authorities, Combined Authorities and employers to design programmes that are not just reactive, but future-facing. Whether through our Skills Bootcamps, funded short courses, or employer-specific pathways, we are helping to build a workforce ready for the challenges of tomorrow.
But more than that, we are shaping a model of training that puts people and places at its heart—because the future of skills is not just about what you learn, but where, how and why you learn it.
If you’re an employer or local authority looking to explore new training partnerships under the devolved AEB model, contact ETS to find out how we can support your workforce and community goals.
