Backed by a £100 million government investment, these colleges will lead regional hubs to train 40,000 workers by 2029 in high-demand trades such as bricklaying, carpentry, roofing, and electrical work. Each college will receive a share of £80 million in capital and £20 million in revenue funding to enhance facilities, develop specialist curricula, and partner with local employers and training providers. These new CTEC's will be supporting the construction sector to deliver on the governments commitment to build 1.5 million homes through its Plan for Change.

As a leader in construction skills, NOCN Group is delighted to see this provision being made for Technical Excellence Colleges, which reflects a growing recognition of the need for high-quality, industry-aligned construction training. We believe these colleges will play a pivotal role in shaping a more resilient, innovative, and future-ready workforce. Their success will depend not only on investment, but on a shared commitment to collaboration and continuous improvement across the sector.

The successful colleges are:

• Derby College Group
• West Suffolk College
• New City College
• City of Sunderland College
• Wigan and Leigh College
• North Kent College
• Exeter College
• Bedford College
• Dudley College of Technology
• Leeds College of Building

By championing technical excellence, these institutions will help close critical skills gaps in trades essential to the UK’s housing and infrastructure ambitions, ensuring a steady pipeline of qualified professionals. They will lead innovation in teaching and learning, using advanced facilities and digital technologies to equip learners for the modern construction landscape. At the same time, they will play a vital role in boosting regional growth by creating accessible career pathways and supporting local employment and enterprise. Crucially, these colleges will also strengthen partnerships between education and industry, aligning training with employer needs and preparing learners for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow’s construction sector.

Graham Hasting-Evans, Chief Executive of NOCN Group, welcomed the announcement, saying:

“The announcement of funding for ten Technical Excellence Colleges is a welcome step toward addressing the UK’s construction skills gap. But to truly live up to their name, these centres must be forward-looking: embracing emerging technologies, AI, and green energy infrastructure. We need a clear focus on quality, competency, and practical experience, especially in areas like retrofit and Net Zero. These colleges have the potential to be transformative, but only if they are built on a foundation of modern, responsive education, partnership across all types of training providers and strong industry collaboration.”