Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Skills, Further and
Higher Education (): I am today announcing
a further investment of £286 million of capital funding in
condition improvement of the FE College estate. An allocation of
£286 million will be provided in financial years 2023-24 and
2024-25 to eligible FE colleges and designated institutions, as
part of the FE Capital Transformation Programme which seeks to
upgrade the FE college estate.
The allocation has been developed to prioritise and support FE
colleges and designated institutions which have poor condition
remaining, taking into account investment FE colleges have
secured through previous rounds of the programme. This will allow
these colleges to invest in the condition improvement priorities
across their estates.
The allocation is part of the FE Capital Transformation Programme
which delivers the government’s £1.5 billion commitment to
upgrade FE college estate in England, promoting parity of esteem
between FE and other routes. Improving the condition of FE
colleges is important in ensuring students have the opportunity
to develop their skills in high quality buildings and facilities,
in order to meet skills gaps in local economies.
Through the FE Capital Transformation Programme we have already
agreed approximately £1.2 billion of investment in FE colleges
and designated institutions. All colleges received a share of an
initial £200 million allocation provided September 2020 to
undertake immediate condition improvement works and at the same
time providing a boost to the economy. We have awarded funding
for 74 condition improvement projects through a competitive
bidding round, with colleges now delivering these projects in
their localities. DfE are working in partnership with a further
16 colleges to address some of the worst condition college sites
in England.
This funding is part of the Government’s investment of over £2.8
billion of capital investment in skills over this spending review
period ensuring our skills system can deliver the skills that the
economy needs.
This investment is a key part of our skills reforms, which is
providing a ladder of opportunity that enables young people and
adults to get good jobs and progress in their
careers. This begins with the opportunities and
social justice needed to access excellent education and
skills training which lead to positive work outcomes.
Ultimately, we will help more people to achieve secure,
sustained, and well-paid employment and provide
opportunities for individuals to progress in their careers. This
will help build the skilled workforce that businesses need, boost
productivity and our economy, seize the opportunities of
technological change and our net zero agenda, and level up across
the country.
