The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) plans to invest around £60m in technology this year to improve the learner experience in post-16 education.

The LSC says the investment will contribute to learning infrastructure, student equipment upgrades and expanding the numbers of mobile devices available for students.

Jon Gamble, the LSC's director for adults and lifelong learning, said: “Technology plays such an important role in learning and an understanding of the latest devices is also vital for many careers. Our programme of investment will ensure that more learners have access to the facilities they need to enrich their learning experience and their employability.”

Priorities for investment include:

Karen Price, CEO of e-skills UK – the sector skills council for IT and telecommunications, said: “Technology has become integral to the way we live and work and plays an increasingly vital role in education. It supports flexible, personalised and interactive learning, which not only helps to engage and motivate students, but also enables them to make the most of learning opportunities regardless of where they are or the amount of time they have available. In addition, it helps to develop valuable IT skills which are becoming essential for most jobs.”