Kent’s largest college group is set to receive more than £3 million in government investment to revamp its facilities.
The East Kent College (EKC) group includes campuses in Canterbury, Broadstairs, Ashford, Sheppey, Dover and Folkestone.
Canterbury College is one of East Kent College’s six sites
The funding comes as part of Labour’s £1.7 billion investment to modernise college buildings by 2030, with £307 million allocated to put right years of neglect at 175 further education settings.
Bosses will be given the flexibility to decide how the funding is spent, from fixing leaky roofs to updating worn-out heating systems.
It’s hoped the improvements will restore pride in further education settings and provide better spaces for students to succeed.
Skills minister Jacqui Smith said: “The young people in these colleges are the engineers, bricklayers and designers of the future.
“They, and the dedicated staff teaching them, deserve the best possible environment to learn and succeed.
The new extension of EKC Sheppey College in Sheerness was unveiled last month. Picture: East Kent Colleges Group
“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.”
Modernising colleges is said to be key to achieving Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s target of two-thirds of young people taking a gold-standard apprenticeship or heading to university by the age of 25.
The fund has been boosted by an additional £5 million since last year, when Labour introduced it as colleges called for a reliable annual allocation.
It was said this would allow them to better 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.
Tony Vaughan, MP for Folkestone and Hythe, welcomed the new funding for the East Kent College Group. Picture: Nick Brittin
MP for Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh, Tony Vaughan, said: “I’m delighted to have worked with the Labour government to secure vital investment for EKC.
“I back the Prime Minister’s bold target to get two-thirds of young people to be taking a gold standard apprenticeship or heading to university by the age of 25. His ambition is matched in this funding.
“I’ll be working with constituents and speaking with the college about where this money will be best spent, so we can unlock opportunities for young people in Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh and restore pride in their college.”
Labour previously announced £570 million to increase college capacity to train the next generation of skilled workers.
The government’s also announced the creation of V-levels as a new vocational pathway for young people, mixing and matching academic and vocational subjects.
The funding will be distributed to EKC in due course.
