Leeds College of Building (LCB) has been named one of the first ever ‘construction technical excellence colleges’ (CTEC) and will receive a share of £100 million in government funding to tackle construction skills shortages.
Only 10 colleges across England have been given the status for the 2025 to 2026 academic year, with LCB selected to represent Yorkshire & the Humber region. Ministers say the CTECs will train 40,000 people by 2029 in high-demand trades such as bricklaying, carpentry, roofing and electrical work.
Technical excellence colleges are a new government designation for FE colleges that will receive extra funding to deliver training in sectors where there are shortages. Each will receive a share of £80 million in capital and £20 million in revenue over the next four years.
This first wave covers construction and comes on top of £625 million announced for the sector in March to cover 60,000 training places through foundation apprenticeships, skills bootcamps and other funded construction courses.
The government hopes these initiatives will plug skills shortages in the construction industry and “backs the British working class” by reducing the sector’s reliance on overseas workers. Today’s announcement confirms a CTEC in each region of England.
Leeds College of Building will now act as a “hub” in its region and partner with “spoke” local training providers and employers to expand courses to more learners and improve training standards.
LCB is the UK’s only specialist Further Education college dedicated to the Construction and Built Environment sector. The college works with over 800 employer partners, including NG Bailey, BAM Nuttall, Morgan Sindall, and JN Bentley.
Leeds College of Building CEO and Principal, Nikki Davis, currently represents the further education sector on the Construction Skills Mission Board, recently launched by the Construction Leadership Council. Nikki said:
“We are thrilled to be appointed as one of the first ever CTECs in the country, reflecting our reputation as one of the nation’s leading construction training providers. We look forward to collaborating with other colleges and independent training providers to benefit even more learners and meet the skills needs across our region through cutting-edge specialist curricula and high-quality teaching practices.
“Our established relationships have been crucial in achieving this status, and our thanks go to the many employers, organisations, and individuals who endorsed LCB. These exceptional partnerships will be vital in expanding opportunities to address sector skills shortages – including green skills, digitisation, and Modern Methods of Construction (MMC).”
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, added:
“This recognition is a huge vote of confidence in our region’s strengths, talent and ambition.
“By training the skilled workers we need for transformational projects like constructing tramlines and building new affordable homes, Leeds College of Building puts our region at the epicentre of the nation’s rebuilding effort, creating good jobs and putting more money in people’s pockets.
“It’s fantastic to see the college being recognised by the government for the key role it will play in delivering the national growth mission and building a stronger, brighter Britain.”
Colleges had to bid for the status earlier this year. The Department for Education (DfE) said it received 51 applications in total.
Other winning colleges are Derby College Group, West Suffolk College, New City College, City of Sunderland College, Wigan and Leigh College, North Kent College, Exeter College, The Bedford College Group, and Dudley College of Technology.
Find out more about the latest Leeds College of Building Strategic Plan 2025-2030 or visit gov.uk for more information about the CTEC announcement.
