Housing Innovation & Construction Skills Academy (HICSA)

Building a sustainable future

We are dedicated to training the next generation of workers in the innovative techniques and technologies to shape the homes of tomorrow. As the UK aims for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, green careers are becoming increasingly vital. In 2018, there were 185,000 full-time workers in England's low-carbon sectors with projections exceeding 1.18 million by 2050.

Construction Technical Excellence College

Sunderland College has been named as one of 10 Construction Technical Excellence Colleges by the Department for Education following a highly competitive bidding process.

The Housing Innovation and Construction Skills Centre (HICSA) will lead the way as the North East CTEC, positioning the City at the forefront of the region’s construction and housing industry. CTECs will each serve as regional hubs specialising in construction training, working with providers, raising industry standards, addressing skills shortages and driving economic growth.

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.

Our partnership with Northumbria University

Our partnership with Northumbria University strengthens links between our two organisations through educating, training and upskilling local people in housebuilding, commercial construction, modern methods and green construction techniques, including home retrofit. This collaboration creates a progression path for students from the age of 14 into meaningful study and work opportunities, providing them with a route to higher-level qualifications at the University. Our students will graduate with the critical skills and expertise needed to drive positive change, contributing to both the local workforce and the wider community's transition to a greener future.

Join us at Sunderland College and start a career that is both rewarding and future-proof.