Students using specialist equipment to do field surveys

Construction Technical Excellence College (CTEC) at West Suffolk College

Building a better Britain starts here

West Suffolk College is proud to be named the Construction Technical Excellence College (CTEC) for the East of England – one of just ten colleges nationally selected to lead the future of construction training. This £100 million government-backed initiative is designed to give learners and employers the tools they need to shape the future of the industry.

What is CTEC?
For Learners
For Employers
Why West Suffolk College?
Get Involved
Construction Technical Excellence College for the East of England logo

What is CTEC?

Construction Technical Excellence Colleges (CTEC) is a government initiative created to address the growing demand for skilled construction professionals across the UK.

With a £100 million investment, the programme aims to train 40,000 learners by 2029, with a focus on the traditional trades like bricklaying, carpentry, electrical installation, plumbing etc but also looking ahead to harnessing those skills that are becoming more and more in demand, digital skills and modern methodologies. CTEC pushes to break down barriers to opportunity; from supporting young people at the start of their construction careers, to training established workers who are striving to gain new skills.

A female student chatting with two male students while working on monitors
Plumbing and Building Services students at the Built Environment

For Learners

At West Suffolk College, learners gain access to state-of-the-art workshops and cutting-edge equipment – ensuring that hands-on experience mirrors real-world environments. Our courses are tailored to industry needs, giving you the skills that employers are looking for today and enhancing future job opportunities. You’ll get the chance to work on real-world projects to gain practical experience and the confidence to thrive in the construction industry.

Whether you’re a 16-18-year-old starting your career, an adult learner looking for new opportunities, or an apprentice eager to gain practical experience, CTEC offers pathways towards nationally recognised qualifications and innovative career opportunities.

For Employers

Training the East

CTEC is built on collaboration. Employers can work with us to co-design curriculum, ensuring that training reflects the skills that your workforce needs. You can host industry placements, support apprenticeships, and provide live briefs that give our learners real-world challenges. By adapting our curriculum to your requirements, we ensure that our students are work-ready from day one. Tell us what you need; we’ll build it into our curriculum.

Beyond recruitment, CTEC can help you upskill your existing team through short courses and CPD programmes, keeping your business innovative and fresh.

Join our Employer Advisory board to play a vital role in shaping the future of construction training in our region.

Tutor showing construction students how to do field surveys
Male students looking at floorplans on a monitor

Why West Suffolk College?

West Suffolk College is recognised for its excellence in technical education and strong employer engagement. As part of Eastern Education Group, we are committed to driving regional growth and innovation across all sectors. Our continued investment in our resources and facilities – such as our Built Environment campus – ensures that our learners and employers benefit from the very best in construction training.

Get involved

Join us in building the future of construction in the East and explore our partnership opportunities.

Email our CTEC team

phil.stittle@easterneducationgroup.ac.uk

A bricklaying student surrounded by blocks and bricks

Construction News