Technical Excellence Colleges announced for the South West, boosting regional skills

Fay Daniels
14 April 2026

Business West and our partners welcome today's announcement of the Government’s second wave of Technical Excellence Colleges (TECs), part of a £175 million skills investment in training for priority industries. 

The newly announced TECs will focus on defence, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and digital and technologies - sectors which were identified as priorities within the Government’s Industrial Strategy. 

Business West delivers the Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) for the West of England and North Somerset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Swindon and Wiltshire. Across these local areas we are delighted that the following colleges have been designated: 

  • Gloucestershire College: Digital and Technologies
  • Weston College of Further and Higher Education: Advanced Manufacturing  
  • University Centre Somerset College Group: Clean Energy
  • Yeovil College: Defence  

TECs are designed to strengthen high-quality technical education through investment in specialist teaching, modern facilities, and equipment, responding directly to employer demand for sector-specific skills.

They will act as “hubs of excellence” and are expected to share their expertise with providers across the country including other FE colleges, universities, technical colleges and independent training providers.  

By anchoring TECs within key sector clusters and areas of economic activity, the programme aims to: 

  • Expand access to high quality technical training  
  • Better align education and industry needs  
  • Support innovation in curriculum and delivery models  
  • Strengthen pathways into priority occupations  

Regional partners including employers, colleges, and local and combined authorities, will play a critical role in shaping the development of TECs and their networks. The LSIP framework provides a mechanism to support this, enabling close working with TEC hubs and their partner providers to ensure delivery remains responsive, coordinated, and impactful. 

Douglas Ure, Chief Executive Officer at Business West commented:

“The announcement of new Technical Excellence Colleges in the South West is a hugely positive step for our region. Through our work delivering Local Skills Improvement Plans, we see first-hand the scale of skills gaps employers face, and initiatives like this are vital to boosting productivity and supporting regional growth.”

Matt Tudge, Head of Skills at Business West, said: 

“This is a positive announcement for the South West, with four colleges across our LSIP areas recognised in sectors critical to growth and in regional strengths. The TEC model provides a clear opportunity to work closely with these colleges and their wider networks to ensure provision reflects real employer demand, right down to the level of specific skills and occupational need.

TECs strengthen the wider system, improving access, quality and outcomes for learners while supporting the sectors driving our regional economy. Congratulations to all the colleges involved.” 

David Crew, Managing Director, Somerset Chamber of Commerce commented:

"As Somerset and the wider South West region continues to be a key region for defence, low carbon and advanced manufacturing industries, continuing to build our skills capability is key. The TEC model provides further collaboration opportunities and will create life-changing opportunities for learners as they transition into high-skilled careers, retaining talent in Somerset, and driving economic growth.

Congratulations to the further education colleges in our region. We look forward to further partnership working to collaboratively maximise this opportunity for our region.”