Thousands more young people will be able to access life‑changing technical training as the government delivers over £283 million to boost capacity in colleges and meet surging demand for homegrown skilled workers.
The investment will support future builders, coders, engineers, technicians and digital specialists, ensuring the UK has the talent it needs to power growth and meet major national infrastructure ambitions.
Around £100 million of the funding is being allocated directly to mayors and local leaders to increase capacity on construction courses, helping colleges tackle long waiting lists. The boost is designed to support the government’s aim to train 60,000 additional construction workers needed to build 1.5 million homes by the end of the Parliament.
Mayors and local authorities will have the flexibility to use the remaining funds to prepare for an anticipated 67,000 extra 16‑ and 17‑year‑olds entering post‑16 education by 2028. The funding will help communities create new training opportunities, rejuvenate local economies and ensure young people from all backgrounds have clear routes into high‑quality jobs.
Colleges can now apply to become Technical Excellence Colleges in one of the priority sectors identified in the Industrial Strategy:
- Advanced manufacturing
- Clean energy
- Defence
- Digital and technology
These new 19 TECs build on the successful rollout of 10 existing construction TECs, which will train 40,000 construction learners by 2029. The TEC network aims to deliver gold‑standard technical pathways and support the Prime Minister’s target for two-thirds of young people to reach higher-level learning by age 25.
T Level providers will benefit from an additional £8.8 million for industry‑standard equipment to support learning in priority areas, ensuring students train on the same technology used in modern workplaces.
This comes as a survey by the Association of Colleges revealed that one in three colleges have had to limit or close construction apprenticeships due to space or staffing shortages, underscoring the need for targeted investment.
The announcement follows a major £1.5 billion youth skills package designed to provide learning or employment opportunities for almost one million young people and create 50,000 new apprenticeships over three years.
Skills Minster Jacqui Smith commented:
“Learning a trade opens doors to a brilliant career and a secure future, and trade workers are crucial to our mission to turbocharge economic growth.
“We’re making sure every young person who wants to become a builder, engineer or technician can get that opportunity.
“Our plan for national renewal gives young people the skills they need to get on in life while delivering the homes and infrastructure our country desperately needs.”
The combined reforms aim to create an education system that powers national renewal, strengthens the workforce and gives every young person the chance to develop the skills needed for a rewarding career.
Image credit: iStock
