19 more Technical Excellence Colleges announced for April 2026 launch

• 65,000 young people to train in key skills for growth industries through new Technical Excellence Colleges
• Backed by £175 million, the colleges will boost training in defence, clean energy, manufacturing and digital
• Helping meet demand for 600,000 workers needed in these priority industries

Around 65,000 learners will now have access to training for high-demand jobs in Britain’s fastest-growing industries, as the government rolls out the next wave of Technical Excellence Colleges.

Backed by £175 million of government funding, 19 new Technical Excellence Colleges across the country will deliver high-quality training in the sectors driving Britain’s growth – advanced manufacturing, clean energy and defence, as well as digital and technologies.

The new Technical Excellence Colleges will equip young people with the high-level technical skills needed to access well-paid, high-skilled jobs, giving them a clear route from education into work.

It’s estimated that almost 600,000 additional workers will be needed by 2030 in these key sectors, underlining the scale of demand for skills and further training in these critical industries.

The £175 million investment will support the highest-quality teaching, improved courses and access to specialist equipment, in colleges selected for Technical Excellence College status.

From Durham to Plymouth, the newly awarded colleges are strategically located to align with local industry demand, helping drive regional growth and train a skilled workforce where it is needed most.

The TECs will break down barriers to opportunity and deliver the gold standard pathways young people deserve, helping the government to reach the Prime Minister’s target for two thirds of young people to be in higher level learning by age 25.

This investment is part of the government’s commitment to ensuring high-quality technical routes which are valued just as highly as university, supporting homegrown talent across the country to develop the skills employers need.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

“I want every young person to know there is a clear route into well‑paid work, whatever their background. These colleges put technical skills front and centre, opening up high‑quality jobs in the industries driving Britain’s future.

“We are backing talent across the country, strengthening our workforce and making sure opportunity is built into the system – not left to chance.”

This builds on the first wave of Technical Excellence Colleges announced in August 2025, where investment of £100 million is already beginning to support improvements in facilities, teaching and employer partnerships. 

Bedford Technical Excellence College was selected last year to specialise in construction and is already carrying out training for other providers across the country, helping them to upskilling teaching staff.

The £175 million investment will support high-quality teaching, better courses and state-of-the-art specialist equipment in colleges selected for Technical Excellence College status.

The government backing brings together £97 million from the Department for Education, £50 million from the Ministry of Defence and £28 million from the Department for Business and Trade to deliver the skilled workforce needed in Britain’s fastest-growing industries.

Skills Minister Jacqui Smith said:

“The industries that will define Britain’s future – clean energy, advanced manufacturing, defence, digital – need a pipeline of highly skilled workers, and we’re building it.

“This investment in new Technical Excellence Colleges will give learners across England access to world-class training and a clear route into well-paid, rewarding careers. And because the best colleges will share their expertise with others, the whole country benefits.

“This is skills investment that works for learners, for employers, and for the regions driving growth across the country. They’ll deliver local jobs for local people, as well as growth for the whole of the the country.”

Milton Keynes College, already a hub for innovation in AI and robotics, has been selected as a digital Technical Excellence College, reflecting its existing work position within the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor and strong demand for tech skills in the region.

Sally Alexander, CEO of Milton Keynes College said:

“Being recognised as a Technical Excellence College is a proud moment for Miton Keynes College Group, but more than that, it’s a responsibility.

“We are here to make sure that the government’s digital ambitions translate into real opportunities for real people – learners, employers, and communities across our region.”

The 19 colleges selected will begin delivery from April 2026, acting as hubs of excellence and working with other providers to raise standards nationwide.

It follows the announcement of a major £1.5 billion cash injection to provide learning or employment opportunities for almost one million young people and create 50,000 more apprenticeships for young people over the next three years, ensuring more young people are given the chance to build their skills and get that crucial first step on the career ladder.

Sector Reaction

David Hughes, Chief Executive, Association of Colleges, said:

“This investment in 19 colleges will help colleges support even more people into good jobs and encourage employers to take on more apprentices and skilled workers. In turn, colleges will be able to do even more to enhance economic growth and improve productivity. It starts to deliver on the Prime Minister’s commitment to place colleges as a defining feature of his government and recognises the great work they do already. 

“I’m pleased to see investment coming from across government, in recognition that delivering on a wide range of government priorities requires better skills investment.  We have seen already with the 10 construction technical excellence colleges (TECs) that investing in our sector delivers effectively and efficiently and I hope over time to see even more TECs established in other sectors.” 

The 19 Technical Excellence Colleges

Defence

• Blackpool and The Fylde College
• City College Plymouth
• Lincoln College
• RNN Group
• Yeovil College

Clean Energy

• Colchester Institute
• South Bank Colleges
• The City of Liverpool College
• The Education Training Collective
• University Centre Somerset College Group

Digital and Technologies

• Birmingham Metropolitan College
• Capital City College Group
• Gloucestershire College
• LTE Group
• Milton Keynes College

Advanced Manufacturing

• City of Wolverhampton College
• New College Durham
• Newcastle and Stafford College Group
• Weston College of Further and Higher Education