What is AMTEC? How Technical Excellence Colleges (TECs) support employers and skills development.
Skills shortages remain a significant challenge for employers across the West of England. Research undertaken as part of the West of England and North Somerset Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) highlights the need for stronger links between education and industry, alongside training that reflects real employer demand.
These priorities closely align with the government's Technical Excellence Colleges (TECs) programme, which aims to strengthen skills provision in sectors critical to the UK economy.
One recently announced TEC is Weston College’s Advanced Manufacturing Technical Excellence College (AMTEC), based in Filton. As a member of the Business West Initiative, Weston College has long been committed to supporting employers and developing the skills needed for the region’s growth. The new AMTEC builds on that commitment.
Weston College was selected as one of only four Technical Excellence Colleges for Advanced Manufacturing nationally.
Located within one of the UK’s leading aerospace and advanced manufacturing clusters, the AMTEC brings together employers, educators and industry experts to develop the engineers, technicians and manufacturing professionals needed to meet current industry demands and support the sector’s future growth.
We’ve put together some information for employers about TECs, AMTEC, how they support the wider skills landscape and how businesses can get involved.
What are Technical Excellence Colleges (TECs)?
TECs are further education colleges that specialise in developing high-level technical skills essential to the UK economy, as set out in the government's industrial strategy.
The aim is to create clearer pathways into skilled careers while giving employers a greater say in how technical education is designed and delivered. Rather than operating as standalone training providers, TECs work closely with businesses to understand current skills gaps and shape training to meet future workforce needs.
TECs are not about starting from scratch; they build on the work already taking place. Weston College has been responding to employer feedback and the LSIP for several years, developing new apprenticeships and qualifications shaped by industry needs. TECs, including the AMTEC, will build on this existing work, supporting further innovation and ensuring technical education continues to evolve in response to employers’ needs.
Each TEC focuses on a specific sector, allowing colleges to invest in specialist facilities, teaching expertise and employer partnerships that directly support industry needs.
Four colleges have been selected as part of the government’s latest wave of TECs in our LSIP areas (the West of England and North Somerset, Somerset and Gloucestershire):
- Weston College – Advanced Manufacturing
- University Centre Somerset College Group – Clean Energy
- Yeovil College - Defence
- Gloucestershire College – Digital
What is AMTEC?
Located within the Filton aerospace hub, the Advanced Manufacturing Technical Excellence College (AMTEC) supports the development of technical skills across aerospace, engineering, defence, composites, and the wider advanced manufacturing industry.
AMTEC has been created to give learners access to world-class technical education in the heart of one of the UK's most important aerospace and advanced manufacturing communities. By working closely with employers, we will ensure our learners and apprentices develop the practical skills, technical expertise and industry experience needed to thrive in their careers.
As plans developed through employer consultation and the Government's Technical Excellence College programme, the concept evolved into AMTEC to better reflect the breadth of opportunities across the advanced manufacturing sector.
Discussions with employers also highlighted the need for a broader identity that reflected the full range of businesses operating across the sector.
While located within the Filton aerospace cluster, AMTEC also supports skills development across a wide range of advanced manufacturing sectors, including engineering, defence, composites, precision manufacturing, automation and emerging technologies.
AMTEC's location means it sits alongside employers including Airbus, Rolls-Royce, GKN Aerospace, MBDA and Babcock International Group.
The future of the aerospace industry relies on developing the next generation of talent who are crucial to keeping our industry ahead of the game. Apprenticeships are a key part of that, so we’re absolutely delighted to be hosting the AMTEC on our Filton site. The dedicated training facility will provide workshops and teaching spaces that mirror our industrial environment, supporting the development of skills and talent to meet aerospace industry needs.
Facilities include specialist machine, maintenance and fabrication workshops, electronics and hydraulics laboratories, CAD (Computer Aided Design) suites, alongside modern classrooms, lecture theatres, and student support facilities.
How will AMTEC support the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP)?
The West of England and North Somerset Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) 2026 identifies stronger collaboration between employers and education providers as a priority for addressing skills gaps in sectors vital to the regional economy. It also emphasises the importance of developing clear talent pipelines that respond to business needs and support economic growth.
AMTEC is a direct response to these priorities - designed in partnership with employers to develop the practical and technical skillsets required by businesses in the advanced manufacturing industry. Its location provides opportunities to work closely with employers, helping ensure that training reflects current industry requirements and prepares learners for future workforce needs.
This employer-led approach reflects the wider ambition of the LSIP to provide businesses with a greater role in shaping skills provision.
The TEC model provides a clear opportunity to work with colleges and their wider networks to ensure provision reflects real employer demand, right down to the level of specific skills and occupational need.
Overall, the LSIP shines a spotlight on the importance of employers playing a greater role in shaping the skills landscape, including curriculum design and development.
How can employers get involved?
For employers, AMTEC is designed to be more than a training provider. Businesses can join the Skills Advisory Board, which is working on themes such as future skills, supply chain development, quality and innovation and talent pipelines.
Employers can also engage in several other ways, including:
- Recruiting apprentices
- Shaping training programmes
- Supporting work-based training opportunities
- Collaborating on curriculum design and development
As employers continue to face recruitment and skills challenges, initiatives such as AMTEC show what can be achieved when education providers and industry work together.
By combining specialist facilities, employer contributions, and clear progression pathways, AMTEC aims to develop the skilled workforce that advanced manufacturing businesses will need in the years ahead.
Employers interested in apprenticeship opportunities, curriculum collaboration or wider partnership activities can find out more on the AMTEC website.
Email the skills team if you would like to get involved with shaping the region's skills landscape.
Business West delivers the Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) for the West of England and North Somerset, Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire, and Somerset (in partnership with Somerset Chamber of Commerce).