Training organisations and adult learners alike may benefit from a cash injection of £20m after the government pledged to help promote informal learning for adults and young people across the country.

The Transformation Fund has been created following the government's Learning Revolution White Paper published in March which describes how government and a national partner organisations can work together to create a new movement for informal learning.

In a speech to the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education's (NIACE) Annual Policy Conference, Skills Secretary John Denham said the money will herald a "summer of learning" for young people and adults - whether for fun, or to get the skills and qualifications needed to get into or on at work.

The deadline for bids is 12 July this year but an 'early bird' funding pot of £1m is available for ideas submitted by 12 June.

In a continued bid to tackle the recession via an injection of funds into training and skills, the government’s Learning and Skills Council has also pledged £75m to help parents from low-income families by providing free childcare for those participating in informal training and learning.

The nationwide Training and Learning for Work scheme is open to half a million families in England with one partner in work, an annual household income of £20,000 or less per year, a child or children aged 14 or under or a child or children aged 18 or under with disabilities.