All CAL courses are either fully or part funded by the government. This is through our Adult Skills Fund (ASF) grant from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
The purpose of ASF funding is to support adult learners aged 19+ to:
- Gain the skills needed to enter employment.
- Progress within or sustain work.
- Access further learning or training.
Learners in receipt of specific means-tested benefits
Learners in receipt of specific means-tested benefits are eligible for a fee waiver. To ensure funded courses are available to those who need them most. (This excludes Skills for Adults with Learning Disabilities courses). This means you won’t have to pay course fees if any of the following apply to you:
Tailored learning – First Step/Next Step
- In receipt of income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
- Universal Credit (UC).
- Income Support.
- Housing Benefit.
- Council Tax Benefit.
- Pension Credit.
- You are employed or self-employed and on a low wage (below the earnings threshold of £25,750 per year gross salary).
Engage
You are eligible for the free ‘Engage’ course if any of the previously listed criteria apply, or you are:
- In insecure, temporary or casual work.
- Socially isolated, disadvantaged or a vulnerable adult.
- A Mental Health service user and the course will benefit your health and wellbeing.
Qualification-based courses
- Legal entitlements (English and maths up to and including Level 2, and Digital Functional Skills to Level 1 are free)
- In receipt of an unemployment benefit (JSA/ESA/UC*) and want to be employed
- An Asylum Seeker who is eligible for funding*
- You are employed or self-employed and on a low wage (below the earnings threshold of £25,750 per year gross salary)
Co-funding and course fees
If none of the above apply, your course will be co-funded by the government. You will be charged a tuition fee to contribute towards the cost of learning (fees are listed on the website).
Early enrolment discount
Everyone can claim an early enrolment discount on Term 1 courses only, when you enrol by 1st September 2025. Don’t forget to tick the ‘10% Discount’ option before making payment for your course online.