- The Government is investing almost £490 million in extra funding to boost skills training and upgrade colleges and universities across the country.
- £432 million in extra funding will deliver state of the art university and college facilities at 100 providers, including new medical suits and cutting-edge engineering and science labs to improve teaching for students and develop skills sought by businesses.
Local MP Antony Higginbotham has welcomed an in extra £5.8 million to deliver further upgrades at Burnley College.
Burnley College is one of 100 colleges and universities across England that will receive a share of £432 million to invest in new facilities and equipment over the next three years to level up opportunities for people to gain the skills they need to fulfil their potential.
A strong advocate of the College Antony said:
I am determined to improve the life chances of everybody in Burnley and Padiham and that starts with education. That’s why it’s brilliant that after raising this issue with Ministers, Burnley College will receive a further funding boost to deliver on their already exciting expansion plans.
We’re seeing some really positive work taking place at the College. Whether that’s expanding the advanced engineering courses, the apprenticeship schemes on offer to local residents or the elite fitness facilities.
I’ll continue to play my part in supporting their expansion so that local people can access the high-quality education which our borough deserves. This new £5.8 million investment will go a long way to making sure that businesses have access to the skilled workers they need to grow our local economy. And it’s all part of my mission to make Burnley a North West leader in further education.
This new investment will upgrade and improve university and college facilities with state of the art medical suits and cutting edge engineering and science labs, to provide better teaching for students in critical subjects and making sure businesses have access to the skilled workers they need.
Successful colleges and universities have demonstrated they offer value for money, effective project management and environmental sustainability and deliver high-cost subjects of strategic importance to the country. Subjects that will benefit include technology, engineering, medicine, dentistry, nursing, and midwifery.
The funding will support internationally recognised providers to deliver a wider range of high quality specialist courses in cancer research, public health and tropical diseases, helping to create new industries and techniques to protect and grow our economy into the future.
Commenting, the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, said:
Investing in education and skills will unlock future growth, boost productivity and help build the skilled workforce of the future.
That’s why we’re spending £490 million to support high-quality teaching and world class facilities in universities and colleges right across the country.
Whether it’s in aerospace engineering or green tech, this funding will provide young people with the support they need to build a great career.
Commenting, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said:
This investment is about making sure students get the highest quality training in key subjects which are driving economic growth. That means access to top of the range facilities which prepare people for the workplace, filling skills gaps and levelling up the whole country.
From Yeovil to Durham, we are backing the industries of the future and giving people the skills they need to succeed.
