A collaborative bid by Wiltshire College & University Centre and Bridgwater and Taunton College has secured a share of £5.4 million government funding.

The College Collaboration Fund to develop greater collaboration has awarded the two colleges £325,000 to share and  develop innovative approaches to digital teaching and learning.

Wiltshire College Principal Amanda Burnside said: “This will enable both colleges to build on, and extend, the great work online during the lockdown.

“We will then be sharing this good practice.”

The CCF is a national programme for further education providers to respond to current challenges in the coming academic year in quality improvement, as well as capitalise on good practice, which includes new ways of working. It was launched earlier this year, but was cancelled as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak.

Gillian Keegan, Minister for Apprenticeship and Skills at the Department for Education, said: “Now more than ever, it’s vital that colleges can support their students to gain skills to progress and that employers and our economy need to grow. This fund will help colleges work together, to develop cutting edge digital approaches to online learning, to overcome new challenges and continue to deliver high quality education and training for the communities they serve.

“The past few months have been a challenging time, but they have gone above and beyond to support their students. The additional funding will help to support further collaborative work.”