The new Combined Authority will become responsible for publicly funded training and education of adults aged 19 and above.
Local control over how best to give Hull and East Yorkshire’s workforce the skills needed to drive economic prosperity will take a ‘huge step forward’ at Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority’s (HEYCA) next Executive Board meeting.
The Mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire, Luke Campbell MBE, and fellow leaders from Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council will set out plans to take on the £16 million annual Adults Skills Fund budget for the area.
Decisions on the skills and training courses needed to support local industries to grow the region’s economy will be taken locally, not by central government hundreds of miles away.
Mayor Luke Campbell said: “Education, apprenticeships and all types of training must develop the skills businesses need to be successful.
"Controlling the budget locally means we can better provide what’s needed here to develop future jobs, so people can build their careers locally.
We need to join up all parts of the education, skills and employment system to deliver economic prosperity for local people, so this is a huge step forward.”
The HEYCA Executive Board on Wednesday 28 May, which also includes senior local business representatives as associate members, will formally confirm the area’s submission to government to take on the budget, anticipated to be at least £16 million per year, from August 2026.
A detailed Skills Strategy for the Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority area will then be developed in collaboration with businesses, colleges and other training providers, and importantly, the local workforce, jobseekers, and students considering their next steps.
The Mayor added: “We will do more listening and develop plans together - with people, not for people.
We have the same goals to make Hull and East Yorkshire more prosperous, through growing skills, career opportunities and more successful businesses.”
The Adult Skills Fund covers key training and education provision including -
- giving adults aged 19 and above the skills needed to progress into, or within employment, or into an apprenticeship or further learning,
- providing tailored learning for individuals, reflecting wider challenges such as community development, improving health and wellbeing, and helping parents and carers to support their child’s learning
- funding learning across a wide range of important vocational and general areas, so local people can access training, including at community venues and independent training providers
Further details can be found in HEYCA Executive Board papers: 2025.05.28 - Executive Board - Meetings – Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority.