All 13 further education colleges in Wales will benefit from a £5m government fund aimed at creating more-accessible and inclusive learning environments.

On a visit to Gower College Swansea, the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Vikki Howells, toured the dedicated ALN department and met with students benefiting from specialist support.

She said: “The £5m I’m announcing today will make a real difference to students with additional learning needs in FE colleges up and down the country, making sure they have the facilities they need to reach their full potential.

“The inclusive learning environment I have seen here today at Gower College Swansea demonstrates how important specialist facilities are in providing a high-quality education for learners with ALN.

“This funding reinforces our commitment to making education accessible for all students, regardless of their learning needs.”

The £5m investment will enable colleges to:

• Upgrade existing specialist facilities
• Purchase new equipment
• Improve college buildings to enhance accessibility

Gower College student, Juno, said: “These facilities are essential to my time here at college. For example, the quiet room I use daily and the environment there helps me.

“It’s important to me that this support is available.”

The cash is part of a wider £20m capital improvement fund covering hundreds of schools.