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About SWCTEC
Technical Excellence College (TEC)
The Government's Technical Excellence College (TEC) programme supports high-quality technical education in sectors that are vital to the UK's economy. TECs work closely with employers to ensure training reflects industry needs, helping learners develop the skills required for successful careers.
The programme focuses on strengthening teaching, supporting staff development, and creating clear progression routes into employment or further study.
Construction TECs (CTECs)
Construction Technical Excellence Colleges (CTECs) apply the TEC model to the construction sector, helping address skills shortages and support workforce development. They work with employers, colleges and training providers to strengthen training, improve teaching quality and create clearer routes into employment and further study.
As regional hubs, CTECs bring partners together to share expertise, develop innovative approaches to training and respond to local skills needs. Through collaboration, professional development and employer engagement, they help ensure construction education remains relevant, responsive and aligned with industry demand.
South West CTEC
The South West CTEC brings together employers, colleges and training providers from across the region to help strengthen construction skills and respond to workforce needs. Through collaboration, knowledge-sharing and employer engagement, we're creating opportunities for partners to learn from one another, address shared challenges and improve outcomes for learners.
Our activities include supporting the recruitment and development of new Construction teachers, workshops, roadshows and the development of shared resources that support high-quality construction training. By working closely with industry and education partners, we're helping ensure training reflects current and future skills needs across the South West.
Our work is guided by the five national CTEC objectives, which shape our priorities and activities across the region.
Responding to employer demand
Working with employers to ensure construction training reflects current and future workforce needs.
Excellence in teaching and curriculum
Supporting high-quality teaching, staff development and industry-informed training that prepares learners for successful careers.
Strengthening employer engagement
Building strong partnerships with employers to support skills development and create opportunities for learners.
Growing a collaborative network
Bringing together colleges, training providers and industry partners to share knowledge and strengthen construction training across the region.
Supporting learner progression
Helping learners progress into employment, apprenticeships or higher-level construction qualifications.
A key focus: developing the construction teaching workforce
One of the biggest challenges facing the construction sector is recruiting and retaining experienced teaching staff. South West CTEC is working with partners across the region to explore solutions, share best practice and promote opportunities for industry professionals to bring their expertise into education. By strengthening the teaching workforce, we can help ensure learners have access to high-quality training and industry-relevant skills development.
We work closely with partners across the South West to understand local needs, share expertise and identify opportunities for improvement. This helps ensure our activities remain relevant, responsive and focused on delivering positive outcomes for the region.
Delivering impact through regional partnership and engagement
Collaboration is at the heart of South West CTEC. Through events, roadshows, workshops and partner discussions, we bring together employers, colleges, universities and training providers from across the region to share knowledge, explore challenges and identify opportunities for improvement.
These conversations help us better understand local skills needs and inform our activities across areas such as teaching and learning, employer engagement, curriculum development, apprenticeships and workforce development. They also provide valuable opportunities to address shared challenges, including attracting and retaining skilled construction educators.
By working closely with partners across the South West, we're helping strengthen relationships between industry and education, improve the quality of training and ensure learners develop the skills employers need now and in the future.