FE colleges to bid for share of £50m for building schemes

Colleges that have yet to benefit from the government’s capital programme will be eligible to bid for a share of £50m for building projects.

As part of recently announced plans to reinvest in Further Education, a Renewal Grant will offer approximately 150 colleges a share of a £30m funding pot, with each receiving about £225,000.

A further £20m will also be on offer through an Enhanced Renewal Grant, giving colleges the opportunity to add to their Renewal Grant by bidding to build their total allocation to £1m.

“We want to make sure as many colleges as possible can benefit from this additional funding we are offering them,” said John Hayes, Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning.

“The £50m we are investing in colleges will make a real difference to college campuses throughout England.

“Colleges are an invaluable resource for individuals and can enrich lives and communities by providing courses and training vital to employers, business and the economy.

“Many colleges up and down the country are still reeling from the effects of problems seen last year in the capital investment programme, which saw a Review by Sir Andrew Foster criticise ‘failures in the general management and financial management of the Learning and Skills Council’.

“Learners will be the real beneficiaries of this extra funding and we want to make the environment they work in productive and inspiring and to ensure the college facilities meet learning and business needs.”

Colleges will be expected to provide final projects of significant value by attracting additional private finance. Successful bids will come from colleges that can prove a substantial benefit to learners and the community.

Geoff Russell, chief executive of the Skills Funding Agency, said: “During the current economic climate when efficiency savings are having to be made across the public sector, we are pleased to be able offer colleges the opportunity to take advantage of this extra funding.

“This investment is an indication of the crucial role that further education colleges have to play in not only educating our young people and adults but in helping rebuild our communities and contribute to economic growth.

“We now look forward to receiving the college bids. We will focus on ensuring that the funding is allocated fairly across the sector so that it has the greatest possible impact on learners, employers and local communities.”

Susannah Fairbairn