The NIAO said six FE Colleges had a total financial deficit of around £21m in 2022/23.

The National Education Union says 2,000 members are taking part in a walkout over pay.

The centre will also offer hands-on skills in areas such as construction and health and social care.

Families will be given grants to help pay for transport, tuition and study materials.

The new facility in Kettering covers virtual reality, augmented reality, 3D printing and robots.

A college says its new centre will help train more heating engineers as demand grows for heat pumps.

Many health and science T-level students dropped out after an exam board sent out botched exam papers in 2022.

The prospectus shows 49 subjects for study, including A-levels and the International Baccalaureate.