Wigan and Leigh College has been named as one of only 10 institutions in England to become a construction technical excellence college (TEC), in a landmark £100 million government initiative to address the UK’s growing demand for skilled construction workers.
The scheme, part of a national strategy to train over 40,000 trades people, future builders, electricians, carpenters, bricklayers, and plumbers, which aims to develop homegrown talent and reduce reliance on overseas recruitment. The government has confirmed that specialist colleges will be based in every region of England, ensuring local access to high-quality vocational training and industry-standard facilities.
Wigan council leader, David Molyneux, welcomed the news:
“This announcement is fantastic, naming Wigan and Leigh College as the North West lead and one of only 10 such colleges in the country. We must enable people to access education, training, and opportunities in as many ways as possible. Apprenticeships can open significant doors, and this investment will set people up for success in a thriving industry.”
The move comes alongside the Construction Skills Mission Board’s pledge to recruit an additional 100,000 construction workers annually by the end of this parliament, a key step in meeting the government’s target to build 1.5 million new homes.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson reinforced the importance of the scheme:
“We need skilled workers to deliver the homes, schools, and hospitals our communities are crying out for. Construction technical excellence colleges will invest in people, break down barriers to opportunity, and deliver the growth our Plan for Change demands.”
A critical boost for the UK workforce
Industry forecasts from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) warn that 240,000 additional construction workers will be needed over the next five years. The figures rise significantly depending on national policy goals — an extra 61,000 workers per year will be required to meet housing targets, while retrofitting properties to meet EPC-C ratings under the Warm Homes Plan would require an additional 140,000 annually.
Tim Balcon, Chief Executive of the CITB, said:
“These TECs offer a transformative opportunity for people to complete local vocational training, boosting regional economies and securing the next generation of skilled workers.”
The Warm Homes Plan, aimed at improving energy efficiency in private and social rental housing, will be detailed later this year. Industry leaders have stressed that streamlined planning processes and stronger employer engagement in training are essential to meeting these ambitious targets.
Ian Berney, Managing Director of RG Taylor Engineering, highlighted recruitment challenges:
“It’s been difficult to get people in when workloads are unpredictable. Planning delays cause backlogs, and speeding up approvals would help recruitment immensely.”
Empowering the next generation
The announcement coincides with young people receiving A-level, T-Level, and vocational qualification results, providing timely pathways for school-leavers to explore high paying trades and choosing a path with financial success without a university degree, For plumbers, bricklayers, carpenters, and other skilled trades, the TEC initiative promises modern facilities, employer-led training, and a direct route into high-demand jobs.
For Wigan and Leigh College, the designation as the North West’s lead TEC is more than recognition — it’s a commitment to future-proofing the region’s economy and ensuring that young people and career changers alike can access training that meets industry needs.
