College welcomes new funding

Furness College leaders have welcomed £790,000 Department for Education funding to maintain a state-of-the-art learning environment for students.

The college will receive the money under the FE Capital Transformation Programme designed to upgrade and transform buildings.

Furness College Chief Executive Professor Andrew Wren said any extra investment in further education and skills training was very welcome.

“This funding will enable us to upgrade our facilities, maintaining a state-of-the-art learning environment for our students and wider community that is future-proofed for generations to come.

“The economy of Barrow and Furness is unique and needs ongoing investment in skills. The college is key to addressing these skills shortages both for today and in the future as employment needs change and we work alongside industry to identify training needs.”

The college has recently started work to transform its Rating Lane sixth form, as part of the Town Deal Barrow Learning Quarter Project.

The first phase started this month at the front of the campus with building work underway to improve the learning spaces as a new Skills Hub.

Welcoming the funding announcement Barrow and Furness MP Simon Fell said:“I welcome this update and overview of funding received through the programme, supporting Furness College to continue to offer high quality education and training, meeting the skills needs of our country and contributing to its future prosperity.

“With the Barrow Learning Quarter on the way, and upgrades to Barrow Sixth Form College a part of that, the future is exciting for FE facilities in Furness, providing the best opportunities for young and mature students to upskill and make good careers here in Furness.”