How Derby College Group is shaping the future of construction skills

Regeneration needs a robust pipeline of skilled people to deliver it – and this year’s Derby Property Summit heard about the key role Derby College Group is playing to deliver that talent.

Just over a year ago, it received national recognition as one of only nine Construction Technical Excellence Colleges (CTECs) in the UK, created in response to industry demand for a stronger supply of skilled people entering construction and property-related careers.

Working in partnership with the East Midlands Combined County Authority and others, it is delivering high-quality, industry-relevant construction training, strengthening Derby’s reputation as a city investing in both physical infrastructure and human capital.

At yesterday’s summit, Carol Dixon, the college’s director of employer partnerships, and Brian Malyan, the college’s vice-principal for technical and vocational education, took to the stage to explain more about CTECs and how businesses can become involved.

Carol said: “When we talk about the future of the East Midlands and Derby, we talk about development, regeneration projects, infrastructure, investment and housing growth.

“But behind every one of those ambitions is a much simpler question. Who is going to build them? Because no matter how strong the investment pipeline is, nothing gets built without people.

“All of them depend on having a skilled workforce. Workforce capacity is one of the biggest constraints to growth.”

Becoming a CTEC aims to address this challenge. As the East Midlands’ regional lead, Derby College Group coordinates training specialisms, shares best practice and work with other colleges and employers to ensure that learners gain the advanced technical, green and digital skills needed to meet the evolving demands of the construction industry.

Carol added: “The challenge isn’t simply creating jobs, it’s ensuring there are enough skilled people available to deliver those opportunities – and that’s where the CTEC comes in.

“The construction sector is facing a perfect storm. We have an aging workforce. We have persistent vacancies across multiple trades. We have an increasing demand for technical skills.

“At the same time, we’re asking the industry to become greener, more digital and more productive. We’re building differently to how we did 10 years ago and we’re asking the workforce to evolve with us.

“The reality is we cannot simply achieve our housing, regeneration and infrastructure ambitions unless we address the workforce challenges head on.

“The skills agenda is not just an education issue – it’s a growth issue.”

Derby College Group is using its new status to lead collaboration across the region, which will include co-designing curriculum with industry, embedding sustainability and modern methods of construction, and creating clear routes from entry-level training to higher technical qualifications.

Brian added: “What makes a CTEC different is that it isn’t simply a college programme, it’s a partnership.

“Together we’re creating a regional approach to workforce development. A regional solution to a regional challenge.”

Derby College Group has already forged strong partnerships across the construction sector – and the summit heard from businesses who had already partnered with the college to devise programmes.

One of the CTEC’s initiatives is the Teacher Industry Exchange – a scheme pioneered by Sam Lewis, director of Greenhatch Group, a firm which carries out geospatial surveys.

Designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and workspace realities, it sees teachers spend time with employers and construction businesses to understand current industry practices, technologies and challenges.

The scheme ensures teaching remains current, relevant and aligned with employer needs – equipping students with the skills that reflect today’s construction environment.

Speaking at the summit, Sam said: “Without collaboration I don’t know how we move forward.

“Everyone wins if employers engage with education providers to help get individuals into fee earning work.”

Former Derby College Group T Level student Matthew Kirk is currently doing a degree apprenticeship with Greenhatch Group.

He said: “T Levels are the future moving forward. They partner you with companies like Greenhatch, which introduced me to the industry and the workforce, while at college.”

Another company the college works with is heating technology giant Vaillant Group.

Back in 2024, shortly before opening a £40 million production facility at Indurent Park Derby, the firm signed a strategic partnership with Derby College Group to provide the skills needed to support the decarbonisation of the sector.

Working with the college, the firm has developed a blended apprenticeship training programme for those leaving school, as well as mature students.

Through the partnership, a wide range of skills needed for a career in the heating industry are being delivered.

Adam Collishaw, Vaillant’s UK learning and development specialist, said: “There is a shortage of skilled engineers, which is why we started the partnership with the college.

“We need 18,000 people in that industry by 2030. That is not far away.”

One person who will be going into the industry is Vaillant apprentice Jack Battaram, who combines his studies at Derby College Group, with hands-on work at Vaillant.

He said: “We learn about the new technologies and systems and I’m really enjoying it. I take a lot away from what I learn at college and from work. I do feel that I have my future sorted.”

Addressing the property summit audience, Carol concluded: “My call to action to people in this room is very simple. Get involved. Help us shape the curriculum, share intelligence, support learners, open doors – because together we can ensure the East Midlands not only has ambitious plans for growth but also the people needed to deliver them.”