Colleges to share £175m to meet future jobs need

Three colleges in the West Midlands are to offer manufacturing, digital and technologies training with a share of £175m under the government's Technical Excellence Colleges (Tecs) programme.

City of Wolverhampton College (CWC), Newcastle and Stafford College Group (NSC) and Birmingham Metropolitan College (BMC) have been selected to become hubs of excellence to raise standards across the UK.

They are among 19 colleges selected to offer Tecs, a spokesperson said.

The government said the courses will equip young people with the high-level skills for well-paid, high-skilled jobs, giving them a clear route from education into work.

CWC and NSC will offer access to training in advanced manufacturing with digital and technologies available at BMC from April, the government said.

Between the 19 colleges, training will also be available in defence and clean energy.

The government said it meant about 65,000 trainees will get access to the fastest-growing industries in the country.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he wanted young people to know there was a "clear route" into well paid work.

"These colleges put technical skills front and centre, opening up high quality jobs in the industries driving Britain's future," he said.

"We are backing talent across the country, strengthening our workforce and making sure opportunity is built into the system – not left to chance."

The announcement follows the first wave of Tecs in August last year that were set up to focus on the construction industry.

The latest investment is made up of £97m from the Department for Education, £50m from the Ministry of Defence and £28m from the Department for Business and Trade.

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said it was a huge boost for the regional skills sector.

"We've worked closely with government to demonstrate the strength of our colleges and the quality of what we're offering here in the West Midlands. That case has been heard," he said.

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