Manchester Adult Education

What Manchester Adult Education does

Manchester Adult Education (legal entity Manchester Adult Education Services, MAES) is a publicly funded adult education provider operating under Manchester City Council since 1993, with approximately 56 employees delivering courses across multiple learning centres distributed throughout Manchester. Its portfolio spans 15+ subject areas including English, Maths, Computing/Digital/IT, ESOL, Health and Social Care, Counselling, Business Skills, Community Interpreting, Preparation for Work, Professional Development, Community Learning, Leadership and Management, and Apprenticeships, alongside wraparound support services covering learning support, safeguarding, careers information advice and guidance, workforce development, volunteering, and employer partnerships. The provider holds Ofsted Good Provider status and Matrix accreditation, and is funded primarily through the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), supplemented by learner fees where applicable. Its technology stack is non-proprietary and minimal — standard website infrastructure plus Google Sites-based learner and staff IT support pages — with no disclosed AI/ML capability. The organization runs a direct-to-consumer go-to-market model, recruiting adult learners through its website application system, multi-channel social media (Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, YouTube), a 'Get Connected' email newsletter, and community-based outreach across its physical centre network.

Name

Manchester Adult Education

Legal name

Manchester Adult Education Services

Website

https://manadulted.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Manchester Adult Education Services (MAES) is a publicly funded adult education provider operating under Manchester City Council, delivering 15+ subject-area courses across multiple Manchester learning centres to local adult learners via ESFA and GMCA funding.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adult Education Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Learning Skills & Study Strategies (Metacognition, Test Skills) (EDAAAAAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Tutoring, Study Skills & Learning Strategies for ASE (EDAAABAL), Basic Digital Literacy (Device, Internet, Email) (EDAAAAAC)

Keywords

• Adult education services
• Vocational training courses
• ESOL language training
• Basic skills education
• Community learning provision

Headquarters

HQ city

Manchester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Course Fees and Government Funding: Revenue generated through a combination of course fee payments and government funding. The organization receives funding from the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and Greater Manchester Combined Authority. Fees and funding page is referenced indicating financial support options for eligible learners.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Manchester Adult Education Services (MAES) provides adult learning courses across more than fifteen subject areas, including English, Maths, Computing and Digital/IT, Early Years and Education, Health and Social Care, Counselling, Business Skills and Enterprise, Community Interpreting, ESOL, Preparation for Work, Professional Development, Community Learning, Leadership and Management, and Apprenticeships. Courses are delivered through multiple physical learning centres across Manchester with varied start dates throughout the year, complemented by careers information, advice and guidance, and learner support services.

Product overview

Manchester Adult Education (MAES) is an educational institution offering a diverse portfolio of adult learning courses and support services. The core offerings consist of subject-area courses including English, Maths, Computing/Digital IT, Early Years and Education, Health and Social Care, Counselling, Business Skills and Enterprise, Community Interpreting, ESOL, Preparation for Work, Professional Development, Community Learning, STEPS, Leadership and Management, and Apprenticeships. These courses are complemented by support services including Learning Support, Safeguarding, and Learner IT Support. Career-focused initiatives include Career Information Advice and Guidance, Workforce Development, Volunteering, Employer Partnerships, Make It Happen, and Ambition Manchester. The institution operates across multiple sites in Manchester with a focus on flexible, accessible learning environments, serving as an Ofsted-rated Good Provider with over 30 years of experience.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• English Courses English language and literacy courses for adult learners, designed to improve reading, writing, and communication skills.
• Maths Courses Mathematics courses helping adults develop numeracy and mathematical skills.
• Computing, Digital and IT Courses Technology and digital skills courses covering computing fundamentals and IT knowledge for adult learners.
• Early Years and Education Courses Courses focused on early years education and broader educational studies for adults pursuing sector qualifications.
• Health and Social Care Courses Training programmes for adults seeking careers in health and social care sectors.
• Counselling Courses Professional counselling qualifications and skills training for adults.
• Business Skills and Enterprise Courses Business-related courses covering skills for enterprise and professional development.
• Community Interpreting Courses Training for individuals who wish to work as community interpreters.
• ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) English language courses for non-native speakers, including Learn English and Progress programmes.
• Preparation for Work Courses Courses designed to help learners prepare for employment and the workforce.
• Professional Development Courses Continuing education programmes for career advancement and professional growth.
• Community Learning Community-based educational programmes for local residents.
• Leadership and Management Courses Courses developing leadership and management skills for professional advancement.
• Apprenticeships Apprenticeship programmes combining work-based learning with formal education.
• STEPS Specialised educational programme within the MAES offerings.

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Manchester City CouncilcoreOthersParent local government authority. The organization is Manchester Adult Education Services, operated under Manchester City Council. Council branding appears on the website footer and safeguarding contact email is at manchester.gov.uk domain.
• Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA)coreOthersGovernment funding body for education and skills. ESFA logo appears on the website footer indicating funding partnership for adult education programs.
• Greater Manchester Combined AuthoritycoreOthersRegional combined authority for Greater Manchester. GMCA logo appears on the website footer indicating regional government partnership for adult education delivery.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• The Manchester College: The largest FE college in Greater Manchester (part of LTE Group), directly competing with MAES for adult learners across vocational, professional, and basic skills courses within the same geographic market.
• Wandsworth Adult Education Service: A London borough-run adult education provider offering a comparable portfolio of basic skills, ESOL, vocational, and professional development courses to adult learners—structurally very similar to MAES.
• City of Westminster Adult Education Service: Another local-authority-operated adult education service in the UK, offering a directly comparable mix of community learning, ESOL, basic skills, and vocational training funded by local government.
• Learndirect: A national adult education and training provider offering online and blended courses in English, maths, digital skills, and vocational subjects—directly competing with MAES for adult learners seeking flexible study.

Regional players

• Trafford College: A Greater Manchester-based FE college adjacent to Manchester, offering vocational, adult, and professional courses that overlap with MAES's course mix in the same regional catchment area.
• London South East Colleges: A UK FE college group offering adult education, vocational training, and apprenticeships broadly comparable to MAES's course portfolio, though operating in a different regional market.
• Bolton College: An FE college in Greater Manchester offering adult education, vocational training, and apprenticeships that overlap with MAES's offerings in the same regional market.
• Salford City College: An FE college in Salford, immediately adjacent to Manchester, providing adult education and vocational training that competes with MAES for learners in the Greater Manchester region.

Broad incumbents

• Open University: The UK's largest provider of flexible, distance adult learning at scale, competing with MAES for adult learners seeking accredited qualifications, though operating across a much broader portfolio and geography.

Emerging players

• BPP University: A professional training and education provider offering professional development, leadership, and management courses—an adjacent competitor in MAES's professional development and leadership course lines.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/manadulted
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ManAdultEd
• Facebookfacebook.com/ManchesterAdultEducation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/manadulted
• Instagraminstagram.com/manchesteradulteducation

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Manchester Adult Education