Adult learning happens in many places and forms, and is paid for by a complex mix of public, employer and private funds. National Institute of Adult Continuing Education's recent survey of public attitudes to paying for lifelong learning shows clearly that people have not convinced the general public that adult learning deserves more public support. The reasons are complex, but include the fact that the "system" is over-complicated, difficult to understand, that its benefits are not widely understood, and that it is widely perceived, for reasons of education, class or occupation. The author believes that a funding system that trusts individuals and employers to make wise decisions about their own learning needs is needed. Such a funding system is not only fairer, it also ensures people get better value for the money they spend on learning. In this article, the author proposes a rebalancing of power to decide what to learn, and how and when, between individuals, employers and government, with a significant proportion of funding that ought to be managed locally and by individuals.