FE Capital Transformation

Infrastructure and Construction

Record date: 31 March 2026

Whole-life cost: £2.1bn
Published schedule: 01/04/2020 – 30/09/2029
NISTA delivery confidence: Not disclosed
Senior responsible owner: Ailsa Harris

What the project is for

The FE Capital Transformation programme, first launched in 2020, was intended to upgrade and transform the further education college estate.

Departmental delivery commentary

The delivery confidence is Amber and is moving towards Green. With the majority of projects completed or in contract, the risk of procurement pressures across the programme due to inflationary and market pressures has been reduced. This change in delivery confidence is driven by sustained progress in progressing projects into contract and to completion. Active engagement with FE colleges and key stakeholders remains critical to managing any affordability challenges in the projects that are not yet in contract. Looking ahead, progressing the small number of remaining projects into contract is the key priority. These tend to be the most multifaceted projects. Delivery confidence will become green when these schemes proceed into contract mitigating the risk of cost escalation.

Schedule

The project's end-date at 25/26-Q4 has changed to 30/09/2029 reflecting the timelines of the small number of remaining multifaceted projects.

Cost

Whole Life Costs are based on the latest spending review which was agreed Spring 2025.

Benefits

The key factors in monetising the benefits of the FE Capital Transformation Programme are the number of additional learners due to addressing poor condition estate, and the net present value of an FE aim started by the additional learners.