I’m really pleased that Exeter College has secured £1.3 million in funding to create a brand‑new, world‑class healthcare training facility. This investment will open doors for hundreds of learners and help train the nurses, healthcare assistants and clinical professionals our region so urgently needs.
The funding, awarded through the Office for Students, will transform the Ted Wragg building on the Hele Road campus. By March 2026, it will house a fully simulated hospital ward and two multi‑purpose laboratories, giving students access to the kind of hands‑on, high‑quality training that will prepare them for real clinical environments.
Once complete, the facility will support a wide range of programmes — from Assistant Practitioner courses and Nursing Associate apprenticeships to Higher Education pathways in Healthcare and Biochemistry. It will expand training capacity across the South West, improve access for adult learners, and help tackle the workforce shortages in the NHS.
This is exactly the kind of investment our community needs. It strengthens local opportunities, supports our brilliant college, and contributes directly to national priorities.
This Labour Government is delivering the funding needed to help people gain the skills they need to confidently enter the world of work. This new facility will provide world-class education for our next generation of medical professionals, boosting the workforce as we build an NHS fit for the future.
This is national renewal right on our doorstep – unlocking opportunity for our young people and driving growth for our country. I’m proud to see Exeter leading the way.
