Government funds major expansion of colleges

£283 million allocated to support college training in construction and tech

The government has invested more than £283 million to help meet surging demand for homegrown skilled workers. It believes this will give future builders, coders, and engineers the chance to gain essential career skills.

Boosting construction skills to meet housing targets

Around £100 million of this funding will go to mayors and local leaders. It aims to boost capacity specifically in construction courses to address growing college waiting lists across the country. The government plans to train 60,000 extra construction workers to help build 1.5 million homes by the end of Parliament.

Expanding technical excellence and opportunity

Metro mayors and local leaders will be given the power to decide how they use the rest of the funding to increase capacity in colleges. This comes ahead of an expected 67,000 extra 16- and 17-year-olds entering post-16 education by 2028. The government says the funding is intended to help communities create training opportunities and support local economies. It also aims to give young people pathways to employment, with the broader goal of national renewal.

Applications have now opened for colleges to bid for Technical Excellence College (TEC) status. The programme focuses on the government’s priority Industrial Strategy sectors: advanced manufacturing, clean energy, defence, and digital technologies.

The 19 TECs were announced in the government’s Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper. They add to the 10 already launched for the construction sector. The government has set a target for the construction TECs to train 40,000 learners by 2029.

The Prime Minister has stated a goal for two thirds of young people to be in higher level learning by age 25.

Skills Minister Jacqui Smith said:

“Learning a trade opens doors to a brilliant career and a secure future, and trade workers are crucial to our mission to turbocharge economic growth.

“We’re making sure every young person who wants to become a builder, engineer or technician can get that opportunity.

“Our plan for national renewal gives young people the skills they need to get on in life while delivering the homes and infrastructure our country desperately needs.”

Investment in T-Levels and apprenticeships

T-level providers are set to receive £8.8 million in capital funding for specialist, industry-standard equipment in high-priority areas.  According to the government, the funding aims to provide students with access to industry-standard technology.

A recent survey was conducted by the Association of Colleges. It found that nearly one in three colleges report having to limit or close apprenticeship courses in construction due to staffing or space challenges. This is more than any other subject.

This follows the announcement of a £1.5 billion funding package intended to provide learning and employment opportunities for almost one million young people. It has set a target to create 50,000 additional apprenticeships over the next three years

More widely, the government’s Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper set out plans to improve the quality of further education. It aims to introduce structured professional development for further education teachers. The White Paper expects colleges to deliver at least 100 hours of face-to-face English and maths teaching for those who have not passed these GCSEs.

It also announced the creation of V-levels as a  brand-new vocational pathway. They are planned to sit alongside A-levels and T-levels. The government says they are intended to allow students to explore different sectors, such as engineering or digital, while keeping their options open.