Commentary
Building the future of construction skills across the East Midlands
The construction industry is entering one of the most significant periods of change in its history, writes Gary Hancox of East Midlands CTEC.
Driven by ambitious housing targets, major infrastructure investment, net zero commitments and rapid technological advancement, the sector faces an urgent need to attract, develop and retain a highly skilled workforce. At the same time, employers continue to report persistent skills shortages, making collaboration between education and industry more important than ever.
It is against this backdrop that the Construction Technical Excellence College (CTEC) was established.
CTEC is a collaborative partnership bringing together further education colleges, employers and industry experts to raise the quality and consistency of construction education across the region. Rather than operating as a single college, CTEC provides a shared centre of excellence, creating opportunities for educators to access the latest industry knowledge, develop new teaching approaches and ensure students are equipped with the skills employers need both today and in the future.
As the lead college for the East Midlands, Derby College Group is proud to coordinate this regional partnership, working alongside colleges across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire to deliver meaningful change.
We are bringing partners together, facilitating collaboration, sharing best practice and creating stronger links between education and industry. By working collectively, we can respond more effectively to regional and national priorities while ensuring learners benefit from high-quality, employer-informed teaching wherever they choose to study.
This work directly supports the priorities identified within the UK Industrial Strategy, the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) and Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs), all of which highlight the need to address workforce shortages, improve productivity, embrace digital technologies and accelerate the transition to sustainable construction.
Meeting these ambitions requires more than investment in facilities. It demands continuous professional development for educators, stronger employer engagement and closer collaboration across the education sector.
Over the past year, the East Midlands CTEC has made significant progress towards these objectives.
A new regional identity and website have been developed to provide a central hub for resources, events and collaboration. Employer engagement continues to grow, with industry partners helping shape activity and providing invaluable insight into the skills required across modern construction.
Video case studies have also been produced to showcase the partnership, celebrate employer collaboration and demonstrate the impact CTEC is already having across the region. These resources help communicate the value of the programme while encouraging more organisations to become involved.
One of the most significant milestones to date came on 1 July, when Derby College Group hosted the East Midlands CTEC Professional Development Conference.
The event brought together educators, employers and industry leaders from across the region to share expertise, discuss emerging technologies and explore solutions to the challenges facing construction today. Conversations focused on modern methods of construction, sustainability, digital innovation, recruitment challenges and the skills needed to support future economic growth.
More importantly, the conference demonstrated the strength of collaboration that sits at the heart of CTEC. By connecting educators directly with employers, both sides gain a deeper understanding of current practice, future trends and the skills that will define the next generation of construction professionals.
Employers continue to tell us they want graduates who are technically capable, adaptable and ready to contribute from day one. They recognise that achieving this requires ongoing dialogue with colleges and opportunities to influence curriculum development, staff knowledge and student experiences. CTEC provides that platform.
Whether through industry placements, curriculum input, guest speakers, teacher industry exchanges or professional development activities, employers are helping shape the future workforce while ensuring education keeps pace with an evolving sector. This collaborative approach benefits everyone; students gain access to teaching that reflects current industry practice, whist educators strengthen their understanding of emerging technologies and employer expectations.
As the partnership continues to grow, our ambition remains clear: to establish the East Midlands as a national leader in construction education, producing skilled, confident professionals who are ready to meet the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow’s built environment.
