Scarborough TEC receives share of £83million government boost

Scarborough TEC is set to receive a share of £83million to help develop its brickwork facilities to level up skills and opportunities for more young people.

Part of the TEC Partnership, the college is one of just 39 providers across the country chosen to split the government’s Post-16 Capacity Fund, which aims to accommodate increased demand for education or skills training.

The fund was launched in May to help create new classrooms, science labs and a range of other teaching spaces, ensuring young people can gain the skills they need to progress into a well-paid career.

Scarborough TEC has secured around £130,000, which will be used to expand the current brickwork workshop. This will create a larger enclosed area with additional facilities such as new automated industrial mixers, leading the transformation from traditional wet trades to the technology-assisted development of trade skills.

Ann Hardy, Principal at Scarborough TEC, said: “We are delighted to announce this new investment, which has been secured as part of a national programme to transform post-16 vocational training.

“The funds will be used towards the cost of building new brickwork workshops, which will include investing in a new automated plant as well as expanding traditional trade skills to develop the next generation of advanced craft tradespeople.

“The objective is to expand skills and labour supply, ensuring our students have the required skills to support the growth in housing to meet future demand.”

The Department for Education said the funding would also support the government’s drive to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050, with all successful providers required to show how their projects will contribute to the target.

Skills minister Alex Burghart said: “Every young person should have the opportunity to gain the skills they need to reach their goals and go on to have successful careers. This investment will boost capacity so we can make sure there is a place for every 16 to 19-year-old, giving them access to the high-quality learning facilities they need to succeed.”

Chief Executive of the Association of Colleges, David Hughes, said: “Young people have higher aspirations than ever with growing numbers taking A levels, T Levels and other courses they’ll need for a successful career or further study. These capital funds will help a number of colleges increase the number of places on offer and are a really good investment by the country in its future.”

James Kewin, Deputy Chief Executive, Sixth Form Colleges Association, also commented: “The Post-16 Capacity Fund is an extremely welcome development and we are pleased that so many institutions will benefit from the first round of funding announced today. As the number of 16 to 19-year-olds participating in education continues to rise, it is vital that 16 to 19 providers have the capacity to accommodate the increase in student numbers.

“The post-16 capacity fund provides invaluable investment to institutions as they prepare for the demographic increase in 16 to 19-year-olds, and the projects announced today will benefit young people right across England.”