Louise Clubley - Interim Head of Service
"This Accountability Statement sets out Hull Training and Adult Education’s strategic priorities for 2026 – 27, reaffirming its pivotal role in delivering inclusive, high-quality post-16 education and training that supports economic growth and social mobility across Hull. As Interim Head of Service, my focus is on strengthening performance, maximising the impact of public funding, and ensuring provision is closely aligned to local labour market demand, the Hull and East Yorkshire Local Skills Improvement Plan, and wider council priorities. Hull Training and Adult Education will prioritise improving learner outcomes, including achievement, retention, and progression into employment and further learning, while expanding access for disadvantaged and underrepresented groups. The planned relocation to a centralised city-centre facility will enhance accessibility, partnership working, and learner progression pathways."
Hull Training and Adult Education is one of Hull’s largest inclusive post-16 education and training providers. Hull Training and Adult Education delivers accessible, high-quality post-16 education and training that enables residents to enter, re-enter and progress within the labour market, build confidence, and achieve recognised qualifications. Provision is designed to respond directly to local skills needs and labour-market demand, supporting progression from all starting points and ensuring that learners, particularly those facing disadvantage, can access meaningful pathways into further learning, apprenticeships and sustainable employment. Through this approach, Hull Training and Adult Education plays a critical role in meeting the post-16 education and skills needs of the local area and supporting inclusive economic growth. Hull Training and Adult Education prioritises measurable learner outcomes and sustained progression, ensuring publicly funded provision delivers clear economic and social value.
Hull Training and Adult Education’s business plan is a three-year document from 2026 to 2028 that sets out the key priorities, high-level objectives, deliverables and performance measures, supported by detailed team plans.
Our Mission
To be the training provider of choice for learners and employers in the city and surrounding area, by delivering high-quality, flexible education and training relevant to local business, learners, and community needs.
Our Vision
We will contribute to the economic regeneration and social cohesion of Hull by working with employers, partners and learners by providing high quality and relevant education and training, which ensures the city has a well-qualified and skilled workforce and a culture of lifelong learning.
- People will be supported to get the skills they need to secure and progress in quality and sustainable employment.
- Productive and Innovative Economy
- Skilled and Inclusive Economy
- Productivity and Place
- Strong and Engaged Communities
Context and Place
Hull Training and Adult Education, part of Hull City Council’s Economic Development and Regeneration directorate, delivers a broad and inclusive programme of post‑16 education and training that responds to local skills needs and supports progression into employment. Hull Training and Adult Education provides accredited and non‑accredited learning to over 3,100 adult learners each year, including maths, English and Digital skills, employability, tailored learning and community‑based provision, with a strong focus on supporting, upskilling and preparing learners from disadvantaged and under‑represented communities to improve their employment prospects and wellbeing.
In addition, Hull Training and Adult Education delivers a substantial apprenticeship and study programme offer, supporting over 350 apprentices and 211 study programme placements annually across priority sectors such as construction, engineering, business administration services, motor trades and uniformed services. Working closely with employers, job brokerage services and wider economic development partners, Hull Training and Adult Education aligns its provision to local labour‑market priorities and plays an active role in supporting a skilled, inclusive and sustainable workforce for Hull. Hull Training and Adult Education will support the transition to the reformed SEND system by using our available funding to strengthen inclusive practice across all provision. This will include enhancing early identification of need, embedding adaptive teaching approaches within mainstream classrooms, and investing in staff development to build confidence and expertise in supporting learners with SEND. We will work closely with local partners to ensure coherent pathways and reduce barriers to participation, progression and achievement. Our approach will prioritise delivering high-quality, inclusive learning experiences that enable learners with SEND to thrive within mainstream education and progress successfully into employment or further study.
In autumn 2026, Hull Training and Adult Education will relocate three of its five training centres— Business, Engineering and Park Avenue Adult Education—into a single city‑centre location. This move will create significant opportunities for growth, supported by purpose‑built, modern facilities and improved accessibility for learners due to the central location. The establishment of a modern Centre for Learning, alongside the profile generated by a relocation of this scale, will further strengthen existing relationships and create new partnerships with businesses of all sizes. The new site’s proximity to other colleges/training providers will also enhance collaboration, expanding learning pathways and opportunities for learners across the city.
Bringing many services together in a single location will enable Hull Training and Adult Education to provide clearer, more joined-up guidance on progression opportunities, with enhanced learner support available across multiple departments under one roof.
Information provided by the Office for National Statistics.
2021 Hull Segmentation Model
In Kingston upon Hull, City of, 22.7% of the population was income-deprived in 2019. Of the 316 local authorities in England (excluding the Isles of Scilly), Kingston upon Hull, City of is ranked 6 most income-deprived.
Economic inactivity rate (Great Britain) - ONS.
Hull has a diverse population throughout the 21 wards categorised below, totalling 275,401 (2024). The percentage of residents aged 16 to 64 is 65%, 25% of which are economically inactive.
Hull Training and Adult Education learners plotted on a Hull map over areas of deprivation
Hull City Council’s vision is to secure a positive and sustainable future for the city through decisive leadership and the development of inclusive partnerships and communities. Hull Training and Adult Education contribute to the local authority vision by providing inclusive opportunities for residents and businesses to access education and training.
Rated Good by Ofsted in February 2022 (ofsted.gov.uk). Hull Training and Adult Education directly contributes to both the Economic Strategy and the Hull and East Yorkshire Local Skills Improvement Plan to ensure that our current and future workforce are equipped with the skills and attributes they need, which meet the needs of employers and allow them to access employment opportunities. Through the provision of training and education and apprenticeships, learners of all ages are prepared for the world of work, developing subject knowledge and appropriate behaviours, building their confidence to learn new skills, secure employment and progress in their careers.
Approach to Developing the Plan
Hull Training and Adult Education’s priorities and targets are directly aligned with the corporate aims of Hull City Council and are shaped by national and regional strategies, including the National Skills Priorities, Hull’s Economic Strategy, and the Hull and East Yorkshire Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP).
Our provision is designed to respond to both immediate and emerging skills needs, with a strong focus on inclusion - 48.5% of our learners come from the most deprived wards in Hull.
We work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders, including -
- employers
- community groups
- Jobcentre Plus
- voluntary organisations
- schools
- referral agencies
This ensures our provision is co-designed, relevant, and responsive. We also maintain strong links with the local provider network, neighbouring authorities and the newly formed Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority (HEYCA) to minimise duplication and address skills gaps across the city - particularly important given the recent reduction in provision locally.
Hull Training and Adult Education prioritises essential skills development in English, maths, and digital literacy, recognising their foundational role in employability and lifelong learning. Our functional skills programmes and employment pathways are tailored to support learners from disadvantaged backgrounds and those furthest from the labour market.
These are funded through the Department for Education, and looking forward for the academic year 2026-27, Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority (HEYCA) with additional contributions from employers and learners in line with the Hull Training and Adult Education Fees and Charges Policy.
We believe that strong partnerships are key to achieving our mission. In addition to supporting individual learner progression, we actively contribute to community development through local engagement programmes. These efforts help foster a culture of lifelong learning and social inclusion across Hull.
We hold externally funded contracts for -
- Tailored Learning
- Adult Skills Fund (ASF)
- 16-19 Study Programmes
- Apprenticeships
- Free Courses for Jobs (Level 3)
Contribution to National, Regional, and Local Priorities
| Hull Training and Adult Education Strategic Aims and Objectives | Impact and/or Contribution | Priorities impacted and the reason for the objective |
|---|---|---|
| People |
Throughout 2026-27 Hull Training and Adult Education will further strengthen support for our People to reach their potential with high-quality inclusive education and skills opportunities. Hull Training and Adult Education continue to contribute to the authority Community Plan, building a culture where education and skills are valued across all ages and where parents and carers prioritise learning and raising aspirations. Hull Training and Adult Education give parents and carers access to opportunities to gain qualifications and confidence to support their children in their education. Hull Training and Adult Education will utilise all funding streams available to give young people and adults the skills required to access jobs within the city. |
|
| Productive and Innovative Economy |
During 2026-27, in line with the authority Community Plan, Hull Training and Adult Education will increase the contribution to economic growth that works for all, providing skills to an additional 3000+ young people and adults to improve access to work and improve skills and opportunities. Hull Training and Adult Education support businesses of all sizes, including small, medium and micro, to offer employment opportunities or upskill existing employees. Hull Training and Adult Education delivers qualifications in areas such as Early Years Educator and Teaching Assistants qualifications, enhancing the level of education given to children and young people and in adult settings and throughout 2026-27 will look to expand this provision with the inclusion of apprenticeships at level 3 alongside standalone qualifications. Hull Training and Adult Education will deliver qualifications in subjects that enhance the level of specialist skills available to those working in work-based settings with children and young people, including understanding autism, mental health, and anxiety. In the year 2024-25, Hull Training and Adult Education’s achievement rate for apprentices was 68.4% with a retention rate of 72% and a pass rate of 95.1% (YVED). Hull Training and Adult Education target to increase the achievement rate by more than 5%. Extend links with schools, colleges, and educational providers to support entrepreneurialism and transition into the workplace through apprenticeships, career opportunities, and business support. Development and delivery of programmes to support the formation of more female-led micro and SME (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) businesses, along with supporting Women into Manufacturing and Engineering (WiME) and those from groups with protected characteristics into employment. |
|
| Skilled and Inclusive Economy |
To improve essential skills, during 2026-27 Hull Training and Adult Education will continue to work towards increasing achievement rates in English and maths with a target of 70% by July 2026 and reduce withdrawals by at least 15% from the previous year. Hull Training and Adult Education will widen participation, delivering tailored learning to a minimum of 2000 learners with inclusion from priority groups such as ethnic minorities, with 50% progressing to further learning or employment. Hull Training and Adult Education look to continue the co-design delivery of training programmes with local employers to increase skills in health, digital and construction via DfE and commercially funded courses with a target of 100% of participants reporting improved job prospects or progression for learners. Hull Training and Adult Education responded to the LSIP digital capability requirement, delivering ICT qualifications utilising ASF funding, to 143 residents with an achievement rate of 77%. Hull Training and Adult Education continues to widen community-based provision in a further 3 wards by April 2027 to improve access for learners in the community setting. |
|
| Productivity and Place |
Hull Training and Adult Education is committed to enhancing Hull's economic productivity by equipping residents with in-demand skills that align with local employer need. Through strategic partnerships and funding streams available from the DfE and HEYCA, Hull Training and Adult Education ensures that training leads to tangible employment outcomes, contributing to a more skilled, adaptable and resilient workforce. In the academic year 2024-2025, Hull Training and Adult Education tailored learning provision delivered strong and measurable impact, with 98% of learners achieving at least one key improvement outcome. Confidence building was the most significant area of progress, reported by 44% of learners (935 individuals), alongside gains that support progression and lifelong learning, including 24% improving skills for further learning and a further 23% developing essential skills, supporting family learning, or enhancing work-related capabilities. These personal development outcomes translated into positive progression, with 24.1% of learners moving into sustained employment of 16+ hours per week and a further 12.5% entering part-time work, meaning over one third progressed into the labour market. In addition, almost 17% progressed into further education, while 44% of those not yet employed are now actively seeking work or engaging in activities that support independence and wellbeing. Collectively, these outcomes demonstrate the effectiveness of Tailored Learning in improving confidence, supporting progression into employment and education, and enabling learners to re-engage with opportunities that enhance their long-term life chances. |
|
| Strong and Engaged communities | Hull Training and Adult Education supports the development of strong and engaged communities by delivering inclusive education and training to over 2,000 learners from ethnic minority backgrounds, focusing on English language, employability, and life skills. The service aims to increase the progression rate of those learners engaging through Tailored Learning into paid employment from 24.1% to 35% while also offering tailored study programmes for young people lacking basic skills, ensuring at least 70% progress to positive destinations. These efforts contribute to social integration, community cohesion, and improved life outcomes across Hull. |
|
National, Regional, and Local Needs Duty Summary
Hull Training and Adult Education has undertaken a review of how well its provision meets the local skills needs of Hull and the surrounding area. This review is aligned with the Hull and East Yorkshire Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) and the Hull Economic Strategy.
Key findings from the review
- High levels of deprivation - 48.5% of Hull Training and Adult Education learners reside in the most deprived wards in Hull, highlighting the need for accessible, community-based provision
- Low qualification levels - A significant proportion of adult learners lack Level 2 qualifications, particularly in English, maths, and digital skills
- Barriers to employment - Economic inactivity remains high, with many residents facing multiple barriers, including health, childcare, and digital exclusion
- Employer demand - Local employers report ongoing skills shortages in construction, engineering, digital, and health and social care sectors
- Growth in ESOL and tailored learning, including bespoke community-based or employer-led training - There is increasing demand for ESOL, employability, and wellbeing-focused programmes, particularly among ethnic minority communities
Actions taken
- Expanded Skills Bootcamps provision in digital, construction, and engineering sectors
- Increased delivery of ESOL, basic skills, and tailored learning, including bespoke community-based or employer-led training programmes
- Embedded sustainability and climate awareness into curriculum delivery
- Strengthened partnerships with employers, schools, and community organisations to co-design provision
Planned Developments (2026 to 2027)
- Developing a new city centre learning hub (opening 2026/27) to improve accessibility and visibility
- Launch of a new Sustainability Strategy aligned with Hull’s 2030 Carbon Neutral goals
- Further expansion of the Study Programmes for young people with low starting points
- Enhanced outreach and tailored learning, including bespoke community-based or employer-led training for NEETs, carers, and those with learning difficulties
- Continued alignment with the LSIP priorities
Hull Training and Adult Education remains committed to ensuring that its provision is responsive, inclusive, and strategically aligned to the needs of Hull’s residents and employers. This summary fulfils the statutory requirement under the Local Needs Duty and will be reviewed annually.
Case Studies
Pavlo Chechim - ESOL Learner Level 3 Living and Working in Hull
"The teachers are kind, patient, and always ready to help. They make the lessons interesting and easy to understand."
Christopher - Early Years Learner
"Christopher’s transformation during the course was remarkable. Initially quiet and hesitant to participate in class discussions, he gradually gained confidence, contributing valuable ideas and sharing experiences from his placement."
Molly Robinson - Sewing Learner
"The supportive atmosphere in the sewing room and connections I made gave me the confidence to apply for university - I now feel equipped with the skills to begin my course."
Kelly Cowle, 38 - Neurodiversity Learner
"I’m not just a mum anymore - I’m Kelly. This course helped me find myself again. I’m now able to understand my children’s neurodiversity, and I’m bringing the learning home."
Tasabih Abdalla - ESOL Learner Level 1 Living and Working in Hull
"Now I feel that I will succeed for myself and my family and achieve my dream."
Further information
On behalf of Hull Training and Adult Education, it is hereby confirmed that the plan as set out above reflects an agreed statement of purpose, aims and objectives as approved by the Executive Advisory Board at their meeting on 25 June 2025. The plan will be published on the service website within 3 months of the start of the new academic year. Access our accountability statement.