Swindon MPs Robert Buckland and Justin Tomlinson have welcomed the news that New College has been awarded £1,491,834 as part of the Government’s £2000 million Further Education Funding Boost to “Build Back Better” and kick start work to upgrade their buildings and estates.
The funding marks the latest step in the government’s drive to overhaul further education and deliver the skilled workforce employers and the economy need.
The announcement comes just days after Swindon College and New College officially joined forces.
The merger will enable work on the town’s new £21 million Institute of Technology to begin. This, in turn, will provide local access to a wide range of degree-level programmes. Students will benefit from an increased number of courses, apprenticeships, A-level subjects and more.
Swindon MPs Robert Buckland and Justin Tomlinson commented:
“This funding boost will help to ensure that the college is fit for the future – with better facilities and brand-new buildings.
“The funding has come along at an excellent time, in a week which has seen both Swindon College and New College join forces.
"This merger will see the beginning of work on the brand new £21 million Institute of Technology here in Swindon after we successfully lobbied the Education Secretary to bring this to the town.
“The Institute of Technology will specialise in delivering high-quality higher technical education and training in STEM subjects, such as digital, advanced manufacturing and engineering.
“Now more than ever, it is vital that our colleges here in Swindon can support their students to gain the skills they need to progress and help the economy to recover and grow.”
“We will continue to lobby for our fair share of Government funding here in Swindon to ensure that when it comes to education, young people here in the town have access to a wide range of high-quality courses including apprenticeships, A-Levels and degrees and we have a skilled workforce fit for the future.”
