Sunderland College named North East’s Construction Technical Excellence College (CTEC) – East Durham College celebrates role in transformative regional partnership
Sunderland College has been named as one of just 10 Construction Technical Excellence Colleges (CTECs) by the Department for Education following a highly competitive bidding process, positioning the North East at the forefront of the UK’s construction and housing industry.
The CTEC – backed by a £100 million government investment - will operate through a “hub and spoke” model, with East Durham College among the key strategic partners. At the heart of this model is the Housing Innovation and Construction Skills Centre (HICSA), Sunderland College’s pioneering facility in Riverside Sunderland (‘the hub’). As the North East CTEC, HICSA will serve as a regional hub for advanced construction training – working with education and industry partners to raise standards, address skills shortages, and drive economic growth.
East Durham College as a ‘spoke’ specialising in Construction Trades, together with Derwentside College, Northumberland College, Tyne Coast College, and The Education Training Collective’s Redcar & Cleveland and Stockton Riverside Colleges, will ensure access to world-class training across the region, tailored to the needs of local communities.
Scott Bullock, Principal at East Durham College, said:
“We are delighted to be a partner in this ground-breaking initiative. Being part of the North East CTEC means our students will have direct access to the latest technologies, industry expertise, and career pathways in the construction sector.
At East Durham College, we pride ourselves on providing education that is both ambitious and aligned, and this partnership gives us the platform to work alongside industry leaders and fellow colleges to address skills shortages and prepare our learners for the jobs of the future. This is a proud and exciting moment for our college, our staff, and most importantly, our students.”
