College to lead on region’s construction skills after achieving new status

Derby College Group is celebrating national recognition after being selected to become a Construction Technical Excellence College (CTEC).

One of only nine regional institutions in the UK, and the lead organisation for the East Midlands, the CTEC will work in close partnership with the East Midlands Combined Authority (EMCCA), as well as other local delivery partners.

Derby College Group supports more than 1,000 learners on a range of construction programmes and has the largest number of construction apprentices in the region.

Becoming a CTEC means that the college has been recognised by the Department for Education as a national leader in delivering high-quality, industry-relevant construction training.

This status brings additional investment, collaboration opportunities and influence in shaping the future of skills provision.

Mandie Stravino OBE, chief executive of Derby College Group, said: “This is an incredible achievement for Derby College Group, our staff, our students and the East Midlands.

“As the regional lead, we will be working with partners to shape the future of construction skills training, from embedding green technologies to advancing digital construction techniques.

“This award will help us meet the growing needs of the industry and create even more pathways for young people and adults to enter rewarding, high-demand careers.”

As the East Midlands’ regional lead, Derby College Group will coordinate training specialisms, share 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.

The overarching objectives for CTECs are to boost construction skills provision in direct response to local and national employer needs.

They aim to deliver high-quality teaching practice and curricula in construction, including continuous professional development for staff with an emphasis on site integration and employer input.

CTECs also seek to leverage employer engagement and investment in construction skills provision.

They will collaborate with providers to boost construction provision and quality both locally and nationally, while promoting clear pathways for learners to progress into work in the construction industry or into higher-level construction courses.

CTEC status will enable Derby College Group to build on its already outstanding reputation in construction skills training.

It has already forged strong partnerships across the construction sector, including national employers such as Bowmer + Kirkland and Vaillant Group.

Derby College Group now intends to use 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.

Andrew Cochrane, chair of governors at Derby College Group, said: “We are immensely proud to have been chosen as one of the UK’s Construction Technical Excellence Colleges.

“This is testament to our outstanding teaching teams, strong employer partnerships and the ambition we have for both our learners and the wider region.

“It will allow us to extend our facilities, expand our capacity and continue to deliver excellence in technical education.”

Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands, said: “By bringing together a joint bid from our regional colleges, backed by myself and all our MPs, we made this the strongest case.

“Our ambition for thousands of new homes, buildings and infrastructure means we need the skills in our region to deliver them.

“I am delighted that our young people will now be able to access the best training and advanced skills to help us grow our region and give them well-paid and decent long-term jobs.”