Within Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, prospective learners in some areas face challenges in accessing Further Education (FE). These are FE cold spots, where limited educational opportunities, resources, and institutions create barriers to learning.
Find out more about how to access capital funding.
Are you an FE provider interested in applying for funding? Submit an Expression of Interest.
Skills Capital Funding for ‘FE Cold Spots’Within Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, prospective learners (aged 16+) in some areas face challenges accessing Further Education (FE). These are known as FE cold spots, where limited educational opportunities, resources, and access to learning facilities create barriers to learning. Areas like St Neots and East Cambridgeshire are particularly affected. Students in these regions often struggle with:
Lack of Local Learning Facilities: We need to see an increase in good, accessible learning facilities in St Neots and East Cambridgeshire so that more people can access post-16 learning.
Geographical Barriers: By offering an increase in good accessible learning facilities, this helps to break down the barrier of traveling to learn, so that people can access provision closer to home or work.
Addressing these cold spots, especially in St Neots and East Cambridgeshire is vital for education equity and future skills development. The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) is committed to reducing these barriers by investing in learning facilities, increasing access, and collaborating with local businesses to provide relevant skills training.
St Neots and East Cambridgeshire are key areas identified as FE cold spots. These areas lack sufficient local FE provision for 16-18year olds and adults aged 19+, meaning many learners face long travel times to access education. The CPCA has already identified areas to improve:
Feasibility Study: Results suggest that building large college style campuses in these areas may not be viable, but expanding existing venues or creating smaller, specialised hubs could fill the gap.
Identified Needs: There’s a high demand for facilities that could support training in health, social care, and work-readiness,
Planned Developments: Expanding current facilities would be preferable and more sustainable.
Funding & Goals: The CPCA has committed to boosting the region’s skills infrastructure and meeting the growing population’s needs through an £4.8m Skills Capital fund
“The Combined Authority is focused on economic growth and raising levels of social mobility. Central to this mission is a skills system fit for the future. We need to harness the talents of all our people to unlock growth and break down the barriers to opportunity. Each young person and adult across Cambridgeshire & Peterborough must be able to learn the skills they need to seize opportunity. Businesses need a highly skilled workforce to draw on to drive economic growth and expand opportunities in our communities.
This Skills Capital Funding opportunity will be targeted at addressing the cold spots we have identified in St Neots and East Cambridgeshire and also brings about opportunities for wider capital investment in our vital and thriving further education system.”
Express your interest now
Are you a Learning Provider or consortium interested in applying for Skills Capital funding?
Submit an Expression of Interest by completing the EOI form to outline your project, its goals, and how it aligns with the Skills Capital Grant objectives.
Apply now
To meet the high levels of demand for investment in education and skills infrastructure, the Skills and Employment Committee of the CPCA has established a £4.8 million Skills Capital fund with the aim of creating more accessible opportunities to learning for young people and adults. . This involves an open application exercise which seeks to allocate £4.8 million for skills capital funding, with a focus on the creation of sustainable assets for the region, particularly in East Cambridgeshire and St Neots.
Following the review of all Expressions of Interest, if your funding request aligns with the criteria outlined in the above guidance, you will be notified in January 2025 and encouraged to proceed with a full funding application. The deadline for receiving Expressions of Interest is 6pm, 20 December 2024.
By providing us with your contact details below, you consent that you are happy for us to contact you regarding the CPCA Skills Capital funding open application exercise only, in the event we have any questions or require any further information.
The Role of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority The CPCA is leading efforts to improve the availability of Further Education provision in the region, specifically targeting St Neots and East Cambridgeshire. Here’s how we’re supporting FE providers:
Strategic Leadership and Coordination
Funding and Investment
Investment in Existing Facilities
Addressing Barriers to Participation
Regional Skills Priorities & Employer Engagement
What's the Gainshare Fund and Skills Capital Grant?The Gainshare Fund is a vital source of investment in skills, education, and local skills infrastructure in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. With £4.8 million in Skills Capital funding, the CPCA is addressing FE cold spots, supporting Learning providers to scale up their facilities and increase education access.
Intended Impact:
The Skills Capital Grant is an opportunity to make a significant impact on education and skills development in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough!
Express your interest now Express Your Interest in the Gainshare Grant
Are you a Learning provider or consortium interested in the Skills Capital Grant?
Submit an Expression of Interest by completing the EOI form to outline your project, its goals, and how it aligns with the Skills Capital Grant objectives.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS BUDGET CONSULTATIONOn 3 March 2017, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority was established as a Mayoral Combined Authority for the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area. The mission of the Combined Authority is to make life better, healthier, and fairer for all. The Combined Authority works with our local councils, the Business Board (Local Enterprise Partnership), local public services, Government departments and agencies, universities and businesses to grow the local and national economy.
The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) is a local government authority responsible for growing the economy, improving skills and job prospects, overseeing public transport, enhancing digital connectivity, building housing, and addressing climate change in the region.
It is made up of a directly elected Mayor and the following seven local authorities (referred to as the Constituent Councils) and the Business Board (Local Enterprise Partnership). The seven councils are Cambridge City Council, Cambridgeshire County Council, East Cambridgeshire District Council, Fenland District Council, Huntingdonshire District Council, Peterborough City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council.
The Council Tax Precept is determined through careful consideration of the budgetary needs. It contributes to community development by funding key initiatives outlined in the CPCA’s plans, such as improving bus services, supporting affordable housing, and fostering economic growth.
The proposed £36 Council Tax Precept for the next financial year is the equivalent £3 a month for a Band D household. It will fund initiatives outlined in the CPCA’s Five Priorities for Buses, including improving reliability and information. Read More about the Five Priorities for Buses
The key achievements include significant progress in affordable housing, tackling the impact of climate change, growing the economy and providing more jobs. The CPCA has also supported the opening of a new university in Peterborough. You can read more on the Budget Consultation page on the website.
We will soon be publishing dates and times for these meetings which will take place in the New Year. These meetings provide an opportunity to engage directly with the Mayor, share opinions, and contribute to community discussions.
Residents and businesses can participate in the budget consultation by attending the Mayor’s face-to-face meetings and filling in our survey form the Budget Consultation page on the website. You can also go onto the page and download a paper copy.
The plan focuses on adding more buses, providing better information, ensuring reliability, offering high-quality buses, and delivering better value for money. This plan aims to enhance the overall experience of bus services across the region. You can learn more about this on the Bus Review Page
Businesses can contribute directly to the CPCA’s initiatives by actively participating in the budget consultation process. This involves providing valuable input on budget priorities that align with both business interests and community needs. Additionally, businesses can engage in collaborative projects and partnerships that support the CPCA’s objectives, such as fostering economic growth, improving public transport, and addressing climate change. Direct collaboration with the CPCA allows businesses to play a role in shaping the future of the community and ensures that initiatives are tailored to meet the collective goals of both the public and the business sector.
