CONTEXT AND PLACE:
Devon is a county of contrasts: while many areas benefit from strong local economies and vibrant communities, too many people and places still face deep-rooted barriers to opportunity. Our coastal and rural communities in particular, continue to experience significant deprivation, skills gaps and health inequalities that hold back both individual life chances and our wider economic potential.
- DEPRIVATION: Areas such as Ilfracombe High Street, Barnstaple Central rank among the most deprived 10% in England, with high rates of child poverty, low incomes and limited access to quality jobs.
- ECONOMIC INACTIVITY: In pockets of North Devon, Torridge, West Devon and Torbay, economic inactivity remains stubbornly high — with over 20% of the working-age population not participating in the labour market, often due to poor health or caring responsibilities.
- HEALTH INEQUALITIES: Many communities face elevated levels of long-term sickness, mental health challenges and poor health outcomes, which directly impact people’s ability to train, work and thrive. For example, districts like South Hams, Teignbridge and Torbay report some of the highest percentages of long-term sickness among working-age adults in the South West.
Against this backdrop, our purpose is to ensure that people across Devon — whatever their background or postcode — can access the skills and qualifications they need to unlock better jobs, higher incomes and healthier, more fulfilling lives.
Each year, our service delivers learning opportunities that are accessible, flexible and targeted to local need:
- Helping people in deprived communities gain essential literacy, numeracy and digital skills through foundation learning programmes.
- Providing ESOL and English language courses for refugees and migrants settling in our coastal towns and city neighbourhoods.
- Offering accredited qualifications and Skills Bootcamps in priority sectors like health and care, and
- Digital skills — directly addressing local employer demand.
- Working in libraries, community centres and market towns to break down barriers for adults and families who might otherwise be excluded from training due to transport, caring or financial constraints.
In doing so, we not only support Devon County Council’s strategic aims for stronger, healthier, more connected communities — we also help tackle the entrenched cycles of low skills, poor health and economic inactivity that affect some of our most vulnerable residents.
CONTRIBUTION TO NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND LOCAL PRIORITIES
WHO WE SUPPORT:
- Over 79% of our learners are from priority and disadvantaged backgrounds — including those affected by poor prior educational outcomes, low skills, rural isolation or limited local opportunities.
- We deliver tailored learning that meets the needs of young people needing better pathways into work, adults seeking to upskill or retrain, and older residents needing support to remain active in the workforce.
- We actively engage communities in rural, coastal and urban priority wards, ensuring no one is left behind.
WE DELIVER RESULTS:
- 79% of learners taking accredited qualifications achieve success, closing critical gaps in basic literacy, numeracy and digital skills.
- 85% of learners meet or exceed their individual goals, boosting confidence, wellbeing and employability.
- 75% progress to further learning or work — directly addressing high levels of economic inactivity in parts of Devon and Torbay and supporting the Government’s Get Britain Working ambitions.
ALIGNMENT WITH THE UK INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY (JUNE 2025)
Learn Devon’s work supports the key missions of the updated UK Industrial Strategy:
- A Skilled and Inclusive Workforce – through targeted adult education and retraining aligned to priority sectors.
- Levelling Up – by tackling deprivation, economic inactivity and poor health outcomes in Devon’s most disadvantaged communities. Addressing interlinked barriers to learning, work, and health through place-based, wraparound approaches
- Digital Innovation and Inclusion – by supporting learners to develop the foundational and work ready digital skills needed in a changing economy.
- Stronger Local Economies – by aligning provision to Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs), working with employers, and supporting inclusive growth in Plymouth, Torbay and Devon.
Our skills and learning offer plays a vital role in tackling skills gaps, raising aspiration and boosting opportunity for individuals, employers and communities across Devon.
SHAPED BY THE DTCCA SKILLS STRATEGY 2025–2030
Delivery focuses on four goals:
- Developing the workforce of tomorrow: We equip young people with high-quality information, advice and real opportunities — partnering with local schools, employers and the Careers Hub to inspire ambition and progression into apprenticeships, T Levels and technical pathways.
- Creating a productive workforce: We deliver flexible adult courses, digital skills, ESOL, English and maths, and sector-specific training for growth areas including health, care, green jobs, construction and digital — all aligned to the DTCCA Skills Strategy and the Local Growth Plan’s Strong Talent Pipeline priority.
- Supporting diversification and growth: Our provision supports local businesses by building leadership, management and innovation skills and working with SMEs to plug specialist skills gaps and boost resilience.
- Creating opportunity for all: We combine learning with wraparound advice, health signposting and community outreach, ensuring people furthest from the labour market can access the help they need to get into, stay in and progress in work.
SUPPORTING DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN AND DIRECTORATE IMPROVEMENT PRIORITIES:
Learn Devon will Unlock Potential: Enabling Adults to Thrive through Skills and Employment
- Improving adult participation in the labour market enhances economic resilience and personal wellbeing. It reduces dependency on public services and helps fill regional skills gaps. By focusing on underrepresented groups — including people with health conditions, carers, young people at risk of NEET, and low-paid workers — we contribute to the shared GDPTW ambition to reduce economic inactivity and create supported, inclusive routes into good work, Deliver adult education and retraining programmes aligned to local labour market needs and priority sectors, with measurable participation targets.
- Provide tailored employment and health-related support for individuals furthest from the labour market, tracking employment outcomes by cohort.
- Enable in-work progression and upskilling for low-paid workers by collaborating with employers and providers to support attainment of Level 2 and 3 qualifications.
- Target high-inactivity communities with bespoke learning offers and outreach, prioritising rural, coastal, and disadvantaged urban areas.
We work in close partnership with Devon County Council, Torbay Council and the Devon & Torbay Combined County Authority (D&TCCA) to align our provision with the strategic ambitions set out in the D&TCCA Skills Strategy 2025–2030 and the Devon Strategic Plan. the Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce through their leadership of the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP). We also collaborate with key local colleges such as Exeter College, South Devon College and Petroc, and maintain strong relationships with Jobcentre Plus, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the NHS Integrated Care System (ICS) Devon and the Devon & Torbay Careers Hub. Our work is supported and extended by our partnerships with VCSE networks and community delivery hubs, enabling us to reach learners in some of the county’s most rural, coastal and deprived communities.
ALIGNMENT WITH THE GET DEVON, PLYMOUTH AND TORBAY WORKING STRATEGY
Learn Devon plays a critical role in delivering the ambitions set out in the “Get Devon, Plymouth and Torbay Working” strategy. Our curriculum, partnerships and targeted interventions directly address the six key priorities of the GDPTW framework:
- Health-Related Economic Inactivity: We support residents with long-term conditions through tailored learning pathways, outreach in community health venues, and wraparound coaching (e.g., Connect to Work, LLDD and Reaching for Independence links).
- Young People and NEETs: We collaborate with Careers Hubs and Youth Hubs to support care-experienced young people, learners with SEND and those lacking Level 2 qualifications into employment pathways.
- Low Pay and In-Work Poverty: Our Level 2–3 curriculum and bootcamps in sectors like care and digital directly support progression out of low-wage, insecure work into higher-value roles. Support for Carers: We offer flexible delivery formats and remote access options to support adults with caring responsibilities and those returning to work after career breaks. Employer Demand and Labour Shortages: Our provision aligns with LSIP priorities and targets sector-based training in high-need areas including health, construction, digital and green jobs.
- Geographic Disparities: Our place-based delivery model ensures learning reaches coastal, rural and urban deprivation hotspots such as Ilfracombe and West Devon — supporting local labour market engagement and regeneration.
Our delivery approach also mirrors the GDPTW emphasis on integration, co-location, user voice, and devolved leadership — making Learn Devon a vital partner in reducing economic inactivity and boosting workforce participation across the sub-region.
DELIVERY PLAN FOR 2025- 2026
ENGLISH – SUPPORTING SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND QUALIFICATIONS UP TO GCSE LEVEL
The English curriculum will offer progressive pathways from engagement to entry-level literacy to Level 2 qualifications. Delivery will include modular units focused on practical communication, digital literacy, and workplace English. Learners will engage through a blend of classroom, online, and community-based sessions. The curriculum will integrate contextualised learning, including employability and family-focused themes. Assessment will be ongoing, with clear progression routes into Functional Skills and GCSE. Regular tracking will ensure timely support and intervention. Partnerships with local employers and services will enhance relevance and impact. The plan aims to increase learner retention, achievement, and progression into further education or employment.
MATHS – SUPPORTING SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND QUALIFICATIONS UP TO GCSE LEVEL
The Maths curriculum will offer a clear progression from entry-level numeracy to Level 2 qualifications, with strong pathways into Functional Skills and GCSE Maths. It will focus on practical application, embedding skills such as budgeting, data handling, and problem-solving in real-life contexts. Delivery will follow a blended model, combining classroom teaching, online modules, and contextualised learning in community and workplace settings to support diverse learner needs.
Progress will be closely monitored through data-informed tracking, enabling timely, targeted interventions to improve retention, achievement, and learner confidence.
Partnerships with employers and community organisations will enhance the curriculum’s relevance and provide authentic learning experiences. These collaborations will help ensure that learners not only gain qualifications but also develop the confidence and skills needed for employment, further study, and everyday life.
DIGITAL SKILLS – SUPPORTING SOCIAL MOBILITY AND EMPLOYMENT
The Digital Skills and IT curriculum will support learners in developing essential digital literacy, with a strong focus on building confidence, promoting social inclusion, and enabling progression. Starting with basic digital tasks — such as using devices, accessing services, and online communication — learners will progress to more advanced skills like digital problem-solving and online collaboration. Delivery will be flexible and accessible, including classroom, online, and community-based formats. Activities will be contextualised to reduce digital exclusion and support everyday independence. Learner progress will be tracked through digital portfolios, with clear pathways into accredited qualifications, further learning, and digitally enabled employment or civic participation.
ESOL – SUPPORTING INTEGRATION AND WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION
The ESOL curriculum will strengthen language acquisition through tailored learning and enhanced progression from pre-entry to Level 2. It will embed cross-curricular activities that connect ESOL with digital, employability, and community themes. Delivery will be flexible and inclusive, using classroom, online, and outreach formats. It will promote social inclusion and learner confidence through culturally responsive, real-life scenarios. Learner progress will be tracked via improved individual plans and milestone reviews. The curriculum will support workforce development by aligning with local employment needs and preparing learners for vocational training, citizenship, and further education through stronger partnerships and contextualised learning. Additionally, it will equip learners with the language, cultural understanding, and practical skills needed for living and working in the UK, supporting integration, independence, and long-term success in their communities.
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FOR DEVON’S CORE SECTORS
The Skills and Development curriculum engages adults from pre-entry to Level 2, focusing on sector specific foundations, confidence-building, and core skills. Designed to support progression, it prepares learners for Level 3 study or employment through inclusive, flexible delivery across community venues, online platforms, and workplace tasters. Social inclusion is embedded via collaborative learning and local partnerships. Learner progress is tracked through individual plans and milestone reviews. The curriculum includes targeted employability pathways such as Connect to Work and Skills Bootcamps, offering industry-aligned training, practical experience, and clear progression routes into further learning or sustainable employment.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND FAMILY LEARNING
The Community and Engagement curriculum will offer inclusive, entry-level learning designed to reach diverse and underrepresented adult learners. It will focus on building confidence, foundational skills, and re-engagement with education through flexible, locally delivered courses. Programmes will be shaped around family engagement, workplace relevance, and community priorities, embedding English, maths, and digital literacy. Delivery will take place in trusted community venues and through outreach, with strong partnerships across employers, schools, and local services. The curriculum will support progression into accredited learning, employment, or further training, ensuring learners are equipped to participate fully in work and society.
It will also include dedicated “preparing to learn” pathways, helping learners develop the mindset, routines, and self-belief needed to succeed in structured learning environments and take confident steps toward long-term goals.
SUPPORTING ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES
We will deliver a structured, inclusive curriculum for adults with learning difficulties and/or disabilities (LLDD) that prioritises progression into further learning and/or employment. We will design accessible, differentiated programmes that embed communication, life skills, and employability, supported by assistive technologies and personalised learning plans. We will strengthen partnerships with supported employment providers, local employers, and community organisations to create real-world learning opportunities, including work tasters, volunteering, and supported employment. We will embed “preparing for work” pathways across all LLDD provision. Our delivery will be flexible and responsive, with clear progression routes into Entry Level and Level 1 qualifications. We will monitor outcomes through robust tracking systems aligned with ILPs, Vocational Profiles, EHCPs, and learner goals. Our aim is to ensure every learner is supported to achieve meaningful outcomes, participate fully in their community, and access sustainable employment or further education. We will incorporate the Connect to Work initiative to provide targeted, supported pathways into employment.
This will include tailored job coaching, employer engagement, and sector-specific training, ensuring LDD learners gain the confidence, skills, and experience needed to transition successfully into the workplace.
WIDENING PARTICIPATION AND SUB-CONTRACTING
SUB-CONTRACTING IN DEVON AND TORBAY
We are leading a full procurement and sub-contracting project across Devon and Torbay. DCC is actively taking the lead on behalf of both areas to commission targeted service delivery through competitive procurement and sub-contracts, including work with district councils, voluntary sector providers, and public bodies.
We are meeting our strategic aims to support local economies, strengthen VCSE capacity, tackle poverty and inactivity and build community resilience—by directing funding through local partners who are best placed to deliver impact. It allows us to leverage cross-sector expertise, innovate through collaboration, and build capacity within Devon and Torbay’s service ecosystems.
This sub-contracting approach enables us to respond flexibly to the GDPTW delivery priorities by commissioning targeted services in high-inactivity areas, supporting pilot activity, and building multiagency capacity through trusted community providers.
CORPORATION STATEMENT:
Learn Devon is part of the Performance and Partnerships Directorate of Devon County Council. Governance is provided through the DCC corporate activity and requirements.
This Accountability Agreement is endorsed by
Phill Adams, Deputy Director Economy and Skills, on behalf of the Council.
Updated August 2025