Lakes College is set to benefit from over £600,000 of investment to improve facilities and support learning across the campus.
The Workington college is one of 175 across the UK that will benefit from the Government’s £307 million investment in further education colleges this year.
It is also part of an overall £1.7 billion investment from the Government to modernise colleges by the end of this Parliament.
The funding will be used for practical upgrades including essential roof repairs, improvements to classrooms and welfare facilities, enhancements to the external environment, and new technology to strengthen digital learning.
Karen Wilson, deputy principal at Lakes College, said: “Additional resources from the Department for Education are most welcome.
“Lakes College has a fantastic estate, and this investment will allow us to continue providing excellent facilities and opportunities for our students.”
Skills minister Jacqui Smith added: “The young people at Lakes College 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.”
Josh MacAlister, minister for children and MP for Whitehaven and Workington, said: “I’m delighted to have worked with the government to secure vital investment for Lakes College – the heart of further education in West Cumbria.
“I’m already working with the college on its investment plans and drive to create more opportunities for more young people across West Cumbria to get the education they need to achieve their full potential.”
The investment also follows the government’s announcement of £570 million to increase capacity in colleges to train the next generation of skilled workers.
