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Post-16 Capacity and Construction Skills Capacity Funding

We are launching an application process for two major investment programmes:

  • Post‑16 Capacity Fund (P16CF) £19.9 million to support demographic growth in 16–19 learners
  • Construction Skills Capacity Fund (CSCF) £8 million to expand construction training capacity

Together, these funds will support education and training providers to create the additional learning spaces needed to meet rising demand for post‑16 education and to expand high‑quality construction skills provision across the West Midlands.

Post‑16 Capacity Fund (P16CF)

The number of 16-18-year-olds in the West Midlands is increasing and is expected to rise until the national peak in 2028/29. The P16CF supports capital projects that create additional teaching and learning space where existing estate capacity is insufficient to meet this growth.

Projects must be directly linked to demographic growth; demonstrate insufficient existing capacity; and align with national and regional skills priorities, including the West Midlands Growth Plan and the West Midlands Constructions Skills Action Plan. 

Construction Skills Capacity Fund (CSCF)

The CSCF supports the expansion of construction training provision to:

  • Address waiting lists
  • Respond to employer demand
  • Support national priorities such as:
    • Building 1.5 million homes
    • Retrofitting to achieve net zero
    • Delivering major infrastructure projects

Applicants must commit to working as a spoke provider within the regional CTEC network and working directly with employers to meet their training needs.

Funding available

Providers may apply for £250,000 to £5,000,000 per project. We may consider exceptions where a strong justification is provided, and programme funding allows.

We will not retrospectively fund any costs incurred in relation to the development or delivery of applications; all expenditure must receive formal approval from WMCA in advance of being committed.

Providers may submit multiple projects; however, only one application per campus or site per fund is permitted. Applicants should refer to the guidance for definitions of what constitutes a project

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for either or both funds, the provider must be one of the following types:

  • An FE college established as a further education corporation under the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 (FHEA 1992).
  • A designated institution as per section 28 of FHEA 1992.
  • A Sixth Form College as defined by section 91(3) FHEA 1992.
  • An academy (established as per Academies Act 2010) providing sixth form education.

Application process

WMCA will operate a two‑stage application process for both funds.

Stage one: Expression of Interest

  • We will assess eligibility, strategic fit, and deliverability.
  • The deadline for submitting an EOI is June 12 2026 for phase 1.
  • Applicants passing the EOI process will be notified by June 26 2026.

Stage 2: Full application

  • Only applicants that successfully pass the EOI stage will be invited to submit a full application.
  • Full applications will be due on 30 September 2026, with funding awards confirmed in October 2026.

*WMCA reserves the right to add further stages to the application process depending on the volume and nature of applications.

Expression of Interest (EOI)

The Expression of Interest (EOI) stage helps WMCA understand the scale, nature, and readiness of potential projects before inviting full applications. Submitting an EOI does not represent a commitment to provide funding.

The EOI process ensures that only eligible providers with viable, deliverable, and strategically aligned proposals progress to the full application stage. The EOI enables WMCA to:

  • Confirm provider eligibility
  • Understand the scale and distribution of demand across the region
  • Identify potential overlap or risks of over‑provision
  • Assess deliverability and strategic alignment
  • Prioritise providers to be invited to submit a full application

Only providers who successfully pass the EOI stage will receive: the full application pack and required templates and submission guidance.

Submitting an EOI

Applicants must submit a separate EOI for each fund. For example, providers applying to both P16CF and CSCF must complete two EOIs, one for each fund. 

Complete Post-16 Capacity Fund EOI form

Complete Construction Skills Capacity Fund EOI form

Full guidance will be available on full application, with the intention of it being broadly consistent with DfE’s approach Post-16 and construction skills capacity funding: 2026 to 2030 - GOV.UK.  

For any queries regarding the purpose of the two funds, please refer to the link above. For any queries relating to the WMCA EOI process, please contact us at P16CFandCSCF@wmca.org.uk 

Applications will be assessed against five Key Principles agreed with WMCA Board (March 2026).

  • Demographic change: Prioritise areas with clear and sustained growth in the 16–18 population, ensuring investment aligns with projected learner numbers and prevents future capacity shortfalls.
  • Current utilisation, condition and performance of FE provision: including Capacity and fill rates by curriculum area, age, suitability and condition of facilities, pipeline of planned expansions or refurbishments, evidence of quality issues or constraints linked to staffing, specialist equipment or estates. Investment should target places where constraints risk limiting learner participation or outcomes.
  • Socio-economic and equity considerations: Direct investment towards locations where improved FE capacity will reduce inequalities, considering levels of deprivation and disadvantage, attainment gaps, accessibility challenges, including transport barriers, gaps in access to specialised or higher value provision. Resource allocation should support inclusive growth and widen participation.
  • Sectoral demand: Match investment to current and emerging sector needs, prioritising areas where: employer demand for skills is increasing, FE provision is insufficient to support growth sectors, Specialist facilities are required to meet labour market priorities. This ensures capacity growth directly supports economic strategy and workforce development.
  • Planning and Infrastructure alignment: Ensure investments are coordinated with broader local development, including housing growth and regeneration zones, Local transport plans, Town centre or innovation district strategies, land availability and deliverability. This principle ensures FE expansion is future proofed, integrated and maximises public value.