Over 100 further education colleges will benefit from £20 million to improve and renovate their estates.

The funding which has been allocated by the Skills Funding Agency will allow colleges to improve the facilities for students and local employers.

Grants will be given based on the condition of a colleges’ estate and will receive funding from £80,000 to £300,000 which comes from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills’ £330 million capital investment fund for further education.

Skills Minister, Nick Boles, said the investment will allow dozens of colleges to carry out essential work to improve their quality of skills provision.

“We recognise that colleges have faced budgetary challenges and I am confident that those who maximise their spending power through the delivery of apprenticeships and traineeships, offer in-demand high quality courses and diversify their funding streams will go from strength to strength,” said Nick.

The colleges will be expected to carry out works as soon as possible and provide 50 per cent matched funding, subject to affordability.