£175m boost to skills as 19 Technical Excellence Colleges launched

The UK Government has announced a major £175m investment to roll out 19 new Technical Excellence Colleges (TECs), aimed at strengthening the workforce across key growth sectors.

The initiative will give around 65,000 learners access to high-quality training, supporting industries including:

• advanced manufacturing

• clean energy

• defence

• digital and technology

  
  

With an estimated 600,000 additional workers needed by 2030, the move is designed to accelerate skills development and create clearer pathways into employment.

The funding brings together support from multiple departments, including the Department for Education, Ministry of Defence and Department for Business and Trade.

Colleges across the country — from Durham to Plymouth — have been selected based on their alignment with regional industry demand, helping to deliver skills where they are needed most.

The programme builds on an earlier wave of TECs, including specialist construction-focused colleges, and forms part of a wider strategy to strengthen technical education routes and support long-term economic growth.

With delivery starting from April 2026, the colleges will act as hubs of excellence, working with employers and other providers to raise training standards nationwide.