Sunderland College named North East’s first Construction Technical Excellence College

Sunderland College has been named as one of 10 Construction Technical Excellence Colleges by the Department for Education – a major endorsement of its outstanding technical education and training, extensive employer partnerships, strategic leadership, and capacity and capability to support providers across the region.

This follows a highly competitive bidding process, and is the only college in the North East region to have been selected.

CTECs will each serve as regional hubs specialising in construction training, working with providers, raising industry standards, addressing skills shortages and driving economic growth. This has far reaching benefits, with those in the Tees Valley wable to access new study routes such as architecture pathways through Hartlepool Sixth Form and innovative partnership with Northumbria University.

Specifically, the college’s new Housing Innovation and Construction Skills Academy (HICSA), a pioneering purpose-built gateway for housing and construction skills developed in close partnership with Sunderland City Council which is opening in September 2025, will lead the way as the North East CTEC through its hub and spoke model. 

Ellen Thinnesen, CEO of Education Partnership North East, said: “Being named a Construction Technical Excellence College is a tremendous achievement. This news comes after long-term visioning, changemaking investment and the creation of an innovative new approach to skills delivery modelled on a dedicated construction college – the first of its kind in the region.”

James Stuart, Chair of Education Partnership North East Board of Corporation, said: “I am delighted with the news Sunderland College has been chosen as the North East’s Construction Technical Excellence College.

“Importantly HICSA has been created through a ‘hub and spoke’ model consisting of valued strategic partners from industry and education who will play a key role in shaping and boosting provision. HICSA is the product of more than four years work to build both the physical space and also a remarkable partnership gateway – the two together will deliver something transformative for the region.

“On behalf of our board of governors, I would like to pass on deepest appreciation to all our partners and supporters who have helped us achieve this prestigious CTEC status and who will continue to play an important role as we press ahead.”

Sunderland City Council has played a key role in making HICSA a reality and creating career opportunities for local people.

Councillor Michael Butler, cabinet member for skills at Sunderland City Council, said: “I am beyond proud to see Sunderland College secure CTEC status, which will ensure our City is established as a regional hub for skills that will power up housing construction locally, regionally and nationally.

“This council, Sunderland College and partners shaped the vision for this vital facility, creating an eco-system that will secure jobs and opportunities for local people while furthering our own ambitions to reinvigorate Sunderland through a programme of regeneration on a scale not seen in decades.  This will pay dividends for the City’s next generation and for our transforming City too and we’re pleased to have played our part in this.”

Working alongside Sunderland College within HICSA are a number of education providers and employer facing Academies which offer a new approach to delivering skills, including Gentoo, global window manufacturer Velux, Northumbria University and Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust, with further collaborations due to be announced shortly.

Strategic education partners – Derwentside College, East Durham College, Northumberland College, Tyne Coast College, and The Education Training Collective’s (ETC) Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton Riverside colleges – will play a critical role as North East CTEC spokes.

Each will ensure learners across the region can benefit from the North East CTEC within the communities served by each college, as well as taking on leading roles in specialist provision. In addition, Hartlepool Sixth Form College and Sunderland College Sixth Form will benefit from new study routes into architecture pathways at Northumbria University.

Recommendations from employers, mayoral and combined authorities were also considered, with regional leaders such as Sunderland City Council Chief Executive Patrick Melia fully supporting Sunderland College’s bid.

Mr Melia said: “I am delighted Sunderland will be home of the CTEC and especially that HICSA will play a leading role. Sunderland College’s commitment to innovation in curriculum design, modern industry-standard facilities, and collaborative partnerships with employers, local authorities, and anchor institutions places it at the forefront of technical education excellence.

“It plays a vital role in supporting key projects across the City — ranging from large-scale housing and infrastructure development to sustainable construction and green skills transition.

“Importantly HICSA is a long-term development focused on the transition to modern and sustainable construction, the provision of industry-led investment and training difficult to deliver through college education alone, and which does not leave behind the traditional trades that remain vitally important to the UK economy.”

HICSA is a pioneering facility located at the heart of Riverside Sunderland, one of the UK’s most ambitious regenerations led by Sunderland College, backed by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and built by Sunderland City Council. Now as a CTEC, HICSA positions the City at the forefront of the region’s construction and housing industry.