Derby College Group named as East Midlands Construction Technical Excellence site

Derby College Group (DCG) is celebrating national recognition after being selected as one of only nine regional institutions in the UK, and the lead organisation for the East Midlands, to become a Construction Technical Excellence College (CTEC).

The CTEC will be working in close partnership with the East Midlands Combined Authority as well as other local delivery partners.
DCG, supports over 1,000 learners on a range of construction programmes and has the largest number of construction apprentices in the region. 

Becoming a Construction Technical Excellence College means that DCG has been recognised by the Department for Education as a national leader in delivering high-quality, industry-relevant construction training. This status brings additional investment, collaboration opportunities and influence in shaping the future of skills provision. As the East Midlands’ regional lead, DCG will coordinate training specialisms, share best practice, and work with other colleges and employers to ensure that learners gain the advanced technical, green and digital skills needed to meet the evolving demands of the construction industry.

The overarching objectives for CTECs are: 

• To boost construction skills provision in direct response to local and national employer needs. • To deliver high-quality teaching practice and curricula in construction, including continuous professional development for staff with an emphasis on site integration and employer input. 
• To leverage employer engagement and investment in construction skills provision. 
• To collaborate with providers (‘spokes’) to boost construction provision and quality both locally and nationally. 
• To promote clear pathways for learners to progress into work in the construction industry or into higher-level construction courses.

This prestigious status will enable DCG to build on its outstanding reputation in construction skills training. DCG greatly acknowledges all the help in gaining this award, including employers, other East Midlands Colleges and all our other partners. 

Mandie Stravino, OBE, CEO of Derby College Group, said: "This is an incredible achievement for DCG, our staff, our students and the East Midlands. As the regional lead, we will be working with partners to shape the future of construction skills training, from embedding green technologies to advancing digital construction techniques. This award will help us meet the growing needs of the industry and create even more pathways for young people and adults to enter rewarding, high-demand careers."

Andrew Cochrane, Chair of Governors at Derby College Group, said: "We are immensely proud to have been chosen as one of the UK’s Construction Technical Excellence Colleges. This is testament to our outstanding teaching teams, strong employer partnerships and the ambition we have for both our learners and the wider region. It will allow us to extend our facilities, expand our capacity and continue to deliver excellence in technical education."

Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands, said, “By bringing together a joint bid from our regional colleges, backed by myself and all of our MPs, we made this the strongest case. Our ambition for thousands of new homes, buildings and infrastructure means we need the skills in our region to deliver them. I am delighted that our young people will now be able to access the best training and advanced skills to help us grow our region and give them well-paid and decent long-term jobs."

With strong partnerships across the construction sector, DCG will use its new status to lead collaboration across the region. This will include co-designing curriculum with industry, embedding sustainability and modern methods of construction, and creating clear routes from entry-level training to higher technical qualifications.