The importance of the education of our young people has been highlighted in recent months, and now Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is to invest more than £1.5 million in vital equipment and facility upgrades at Bournemouth and Poole College and Weymouth College.

Lorna Carver, Dorset LEP director said, “Investing in skills our local businesses need is essential to economic recovery following the impact of COVID-19. Supporting further education is also a core component of our Dorset Skills Action Plan.”

£1.3 million of funding has been provided via the Local Growth Fund to Bournemouth and Poole College for two projects which will benefit over 10,000 students and 600 staff. The Workstations and Remote Access projects include a major upgrade in IT equipment and the delivery of online teaching, to expand student and staff access to virtual workstations and applications.

The project also includes the replacement of ageing network equipment. This upgrade will support the increasing use of digital resources at the Lansdowne, North Road and Fulcrum campuses and will also support the online delivery of teaching and learning for those onsite.

Diane Grannell, Dorset LEP Board member and principal and chief executive of Bournemouth & Poole College said, “The recent pandemic has brought into sharp relief the importance of digital skills and digital infrastructure.  We’re incredibly grateful to Dorset LEP for this investment, which will benefit our students and staff enormously. Not only will it support the continuation of education even during lockdown periods, but it will also enhance our ability to help our students develop the digital skills they need to thrive in tomorrow’s workforce.”

£250,000 has also been provided via the Getting Building Fund to Weymouth College for a complete refurbishment of the college’s Higher Education Centre.