Following re-structure with the incoming North East Mayoral Combined Authority (NEMCA), pre-established contracts are appearing to change. WEA now must, along with several other associations compete for contracts in the summer in the hopes to re-balance after loss of funding.
The Workers Educational Association have expressed concern over job security, with jobs of 72 tutors in the charity now within flux. Dozens of courses offered by the charity also now appear to be in dangerous waters.
As reported by the BBC, Chief Executive of WEA Simon Parkinson, stated the impact will be "devastating for about 1,600 learners across the region." Parkinson expressed the versatility of the lessons - "we can do everything from community learning, textiles, history, arts courses and technical skills to help people looking for employment" - and the mark this void will leave on the community. "That flexibility and scale we can bring to it will be lost".
The Courier reached out to NEMCA to receive their perspective on the funding changes. A spokesperson for NEMCA referred a public statement where NEMCA pledged to "make use of its devolved Adult Education Budget (AEB) to achieve its outcomes and improve local skills; helping residents to improve their quality of life and ensuring that employers have residents with the skills their businesses need to grow and thrive".
NEMCA stated they are establishing a new provider base, that will allow the delivery of AEB through a new open and competitive procurement processes. They affirmed "the vast majority of providers, such as national providers, will secure contracts in this way following our well-publicised processed. This year, successful providers will be in place from August 2024."
The statement also clarified the state of local FE colleges, in receiving grant funding for AEB activity because "of the significant volume of provision they deliver to local residents, including statutory provision and community learning."
"We are encouraging those providers outside of the grant funding scope to engage with the procurement process and seek to access up to £16m of funding available for academic year 2024-2025."
In their statement NEMCA recognised "that through any process of change there will be an element of disruption - and we are clear about the need to minimise any detriment to learners as a result of this".
"We want to ensure that Adult Education provision is accessible to all resident across the North East Combined Authority region and will ensure a full list of providers delivering courses is made widely available once procurement processes are complete".
Countless learners, tutors and stakeholders within the charity now look towards Summer 2024, with hope the stated "procurement process" will provide funding and clarity for Adult Education within the North East.
The Courier reached out to WEA for comment, but was not met with a response.
