Recommendation 18

We also asked DfE about the multiplicity of available programmes. It asserted that long lists of programmes could look a little misleading. It explained that the bulk of skills funding went to a relatively small number of interventions, specifically apprenticeships, the free courses for jobs and qualifications-based programmes that are typically delivered by FE colleges, and the adult education budget. DfE stated that it was incumbent on it to keep trying to make the system simpler for people, but noted that it had to balance two 19 Q 41 20 Q 46 21 C&AG’s Report, paras 4.7–4.8, 4.10, 4.17, Figure 15 22 Q 60 23 Q 61 12 Developing workforce skills for a strong economy countervailing forces – the need to create a skills system that is simple and intelligible, but that also allows tailoring and provides training that meets people’s needs reasonably precisely.24 24 Q 60 Developing workforce skills for a strong economy 13 2 Roles of different organisations in the skills system Employers