More than 50 colleges are to build modern facilities, following an announcement by the Government’s College Capital Investment Fund that it is to release almost £550 million between now and 2015. Many of the successful colleges will use this money to build new ‘state of the art’ science and engineering facilities.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “Our commitment to support modern, well-equipped colleges and training centres to train the next generation sits alongside the Government’s industrial strategy, giving business the confidence to invest in the long term. Boosting the quality and availability of training is fundamental to building a stronger economy, with skilled jobs spread across all regions of the UK.”

Projects being funded include Dudley College’s engineering and advanced manufacturing workshops, Leeds City College’s centre for mechanical engineering and Runshaw College’s industry-standard engineering and science facilities.