Exeter and North Devon Colleges Group and City College Plymouth will receive major funding for improvements to the sites as part of a Government initiative to modernise college campuses.

Exeter and North Devon Colleges Group has been allocated £4,463,670.37, while City College Plymouth will receive £1,674,390.14. The funds will go towards maintaining, repairing, and improving the colleges’ premises as part of the Government’s bid to break down barriers to students.

Steve Strang, the executive director of estates and sustainability for Exeter and North Devon Colleges Group, said: “We welcome the latest round of FECCA funding.

“Last year’s allocation enabled us to make significant improvements right across our estate, including learning spaces and staff areas.

“Whether it's a new cinema room for our creative industries learners or refreshed learning resource centres and upgraded staff facilities, this funding has helped us enhance our estate and supports Exeter College's commitment to providing an exceptional environment for learners and staff.”

Exeter College used its allocation last year to transform a disused washroom into an extra classroom for learners, refresh staff facilities, and install new ICT equipment.

All 18 colleges across the South West will benefit from the new round of funding. Each one will receive an individual allocation in the summer, ranging from £6,000 for smaller institutions to £7 million for large college groups for the next academic year. Colleges will be given the flexibility to decide how to spend the funding.

It follows the announcement of £570 million to increase college capacity to train the next generation of skilled workers. It is hoped that the funding will contribute to the Prime Minister’s target of two-thirds of young people taking a gold-standard apprenticeship, higher training, or heading to university by the age of 25.