{"id":13938,"date":"2026-04-14T11:29:17","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T11:29:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/13938\/"},"modified":"2026-04-14T11:29:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T11:29:17","slug":"revealed-the-next-19-technical-excellence-colleges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/13938\/","title":{"rendered":"Revealed: The next 19 ‘technical excellence colleges’"},"content":{"rendered":"

The government has confirmed the locations of 19 new \u2018technical excellence colleges\u2019 as part of a \u00a3175 million skills investment in training for priority industries.<\/p>\n

The second wave of technical excellence colleges (TECs), which will begin delivery from this month, are spread across England and will focus on four sectors: defence, clean energy, digital and technologies, and advanced manufacturing.<\/p>\n

Ten TECs had already been announced in August 2025 under an earlier \u00a3100 million phase<\/a> of the programme which specialised in construction.<\/p>\n

Ministers said the new TECs will support around 65,000 learners to access training for \u201chigh-demand jobs\u201d in key growth sectors, where estimates suggest nearly 600,000 additional workers will be needed by 2030.<\/p>\n

TECs will act as \u201chubs of excellence\u201d with funding for selected colleges going towards facilities, teaching and employer partnerships.<\/p>\n

As hubs, TECs are also expected to share their expertise with other providers across the country including other FE colleges, independent training providers and university technical colleges.<\/p>\n

The sector specialisms are spread across English regions and \u201cstrategically located\u201d to align with local industrial demand, the government said.<\/p>\n

This includes a defence focus for Blackpool and the Fylde College and City College Plymouth, while Birmingham Metropolitan College and Capital City College will specialise in digital and technologies.<\/p>\n

Every region has at least two TECs, while no colleges have more than one specialism.<\/p>\n

Prime minister Keir Starmer said: \u201cI want every young person to know there is a clear route into well\u2011paid work, whatever their background.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese colleges put technical skills front and centre, opening up high\u2011quality jobs in the industries driving Britain\u2019s future.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are backing talent across the country, strengthening our workforce and making sure opportunity is built into the system \u2013 not left to chance.\u201d<\/p>\n

Six TECs are also lead partners in the DfE\u2019s Institute of Technology (IoT) network, launched by the Conservative government with \u00a3300 million in capital funding seven years ago.<\/p>\n

Last year, FE Week revealed<\/a> that some colleges have ditched the IoT brand in the face of waning ministerial enthusiasm.<\/p>\n

The 19 new TECs will receive \u00a3175 million in funding for high-quality teaching, better courses and \u201cstate-of-the-art specialist equipment\u201d.<\/p>\n

For this wave, the funding is divided into \u00a3137 million in capital and \u00a338 million in revenue.<\/p>\n

The funding package includes \u00a397 million from the Department for Education, \u00a350 million from the Ministry of Defence and \u00a328 million from the Department for Business and Trade.<\/p>\n

\u2018Hubs of excellence\u2019<\/p>\n

The government has set out five key aims for TECs<\/a>: boosting skills provision that leads to in-demand and well-paid work, increasing quality, stronger partnerships with employers, collaborative delivery, and promoting \u201cclear pathways\u201d to higher level learning or growth-driving industries.<\/p>\n

In guidance issued for wave two bids, the government said TECs will act as a \u201chub of excellence\u201d in their sector, sharing their innovative teaching and curricula excellence.<\/p>\n

The DfE also expects them to establish networks with other providers who have similar sector needs, such as the automotive industry for advanced manufacturing.<\/p>\n

Bid winners will now be expected to submit \u201chigh quality\u201d costed delivery plans this summer, setting out how they will spend about \u00a32 million in revenue funding over three years.<\/p>\n

Capital funding will vary depending on the TEC\u2019s activity, geographical spread and concentration of industry being supported.<\/p>\n

Chief executive of the Association of Colleges, David Hughes, said: \u201cThis investment in 19 colleges will help colleges support even more people into good jobs and encourage employers to take on more apprentices and skilled workers.\u201d<\/p>\n

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