The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) has launched a new £18 million Provider Growth Fund to support colleges and universities in the delivery of technology enabled technical qualifications.
It said it follows the Government’s plan to make technical education more popular and prestigious.
The fund will support the procurement of software and specialist equipment to deliver higher technical education courses in the target subjects of digital, construction, health and science.
It is split into £12 million for capital expenditure, which can be spent on specialist equipment and perpetual software licences; and £6 million for resource expenditure. The latter can go to: developing local employer partnerships; supporting and upskilling for technical staff; supporting curriculum planning and development; and promoting awareness of higher technical education.
Jisc, the membership body for technology services in higher education and research, has supported the move.
Its CEO Dr Paul Feldman said: “I’m pleased that the Provider Growth Fund includes the opportunity for investment in digital solutions and staff skills to help deliver future focused digital education.
“This is crucial to meet the needs of industry now and into the future. As the UK’s digital body for tertiary education, Jisc is ready to support our college and university members to optimise this investment as part of their digital strategy.”
ESFA has set the deadline for funding application at 9 July.
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