North East Mayor Kim McGuinness is set to invest £8.1 million to create more than 1,600 additional education and training places for young people across the region.
The proposal aims to meet growing demand for post-16 education as the number of 16 to 18-year-olds living in the North East continues to rise.
If approved by Cabinet, the Post-16 Sufficiency Capital Programme will fund 14 projects across all seven local authority areas, supporting colleges, sixth forms and academies to expand teaching facilities, develop specialist learning spaces and improve support for learners with additional needs.
Charlotte Carpenter, Director of Skills, Inclusion & Public Service Reform at the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority said:
“This investment gives all our young people the opportunity for the education they deserve.
“It’s a direct response to rising demand for post-16 education and training places, and helps build the specialist facilities our colleges and schools need.
“By investing right across the North East, we’re making sure no young person is held back from the skills, training or support that can shape their future.”
The funding will be used for:
- Refurbishing existing buildings
- Converting under-used space
- Creating specialist vocational facilities and workshops
- Expanding SEND provision
- Installing modular teaching accommodation where required
The investment is expected to create at least 1,638 additional learner places by the 2027/28 and 2028/29 academic years.
The programme responds to forecasts showing a significant increase in the region’s 16 to 18 population over the coming years.
Without additional capacity, there is a risk that some young people, particularly those with special educational needs, lower prior attainment or other barriers to learning, could struggle to secure suitable post-16 opportunities.
The investment supports the North East MSA’s ambition to create a Home of Real Opportunity, ensuring more young people can access high-quality education and training while helping to build the skilled workforce needed to drive inclusive economic growth across the region.
The investment will be used to develop education and training places at Bishop Auckland College, New College Durham, East Durham College, Durham Sixth Form Centre, South Tyneside College, Tyne Coast College, City of Sunderland College, Gateshead College, Newcastle College, North East Futures UTC, Gosforth Academy, Newcastle Sixth Form, and Northumberland College Kirkley Hall Campus.
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