YOUNG people in Warwickshire will see major upgrades to their colleges thanks to a £1.7 million cash injection from the government.
It comes as part of a £307 million investment to turn the page on years of neglect in the sector.
From repairing leaky roofs and fixing broken windows to updating worn-out heating systems, Warwickshire College Group is amongst 175 colleges that will benefit. The college will be given the flexibility to decide how the funding is spent, so it can be directed where it is needed most.
The fund has been boosted by £5 million since last year, when the government introduced it in response to colleges calling for a reliable annual allocation to plan and maintain their estates. It is part of a £1.7 billion investment from Labour’s Industrial Strategy for colleges to modernise buildings by 2030.
Skills minister Jacqui Smith said: “The young people in these colleges are the engineers, bricklayers and designers of the future, and they and the dedicated staff teaching them deserve the best possible environment to learn and succeed.
“This £307 million investment will repair and modernise facilities across all 175 colleges in England, giving young people the spaces they need to build the skills they need for good careers, helping to drive economic growth.”
Matt Western, MP for Warwick and Leamington, added: “This is great news for our local colleges that provide education opportunities for students across Warwickshire.
“Colleges have a vital role to play in the education of young people, and it is important the Government back them with funding to support them.”
