Thousands of young people across the West Midlands are set to gain new opportunities for a rewarding career in construction, following a major Government investment in skills training.
Dudley College of Technology has been named one of just ten National Centres for Technical Excellence for Construction (CTEC), a prestigious new status that will see it take the lead in developing the next generation of builders, bricklayers, engineers, surveyors, plumbers, plasterers, electricians, and specialists in emerging green technologies such as solar panel installation and energy-efficient retrofitting.
Over the next four years, the CTEC network will share in £100 million of Government funding aimed at boosting construction sector skills. Dudley College will work in close partnership with leading employers, professional bodies, and other education providers in the region to ensure the benefits reach communities right across the West Midlands.
The demand for skilled construction workers has never been greater. The region faces the twin challenges of meeting the need for new housing and creating modern, well-connected industrial sites. Under Mayor Richard Parker’s Growth Plan, the target is to build 120,000 new homes over the next decade – including thousands of social homes – as part of a strategy to tackle the housing crisis. Alongside this, the Mayor has secured a record £2.4 billion to expand the region’s transport infrastructure, including new Metro, rail, and bus routes.
Mayor Parker welcomed the announcement, noting both the symbolic and practical importance for Dudley:
“Dudley has a proud history of making and building, and this new status for Dudley College will help make sure it has a proud future too. Construction is vital to our economy and infrastructure – and it offers young people the skills to build a career in a sector that’s in demand. I’m pleased the government has committed this investment, and I’ll be working with them, Dudley College and local employers to make sure it delivers opportunities for people across the Black Country and the wider region.”
Dudley College is no stranger to delivering high-quality construction training. Its Construction Apprenticeship Training Centre at Brierley Hill and the Advance Centre in Dudley already offer industry-recognised programmes for hundreds of learners each year. The new CTEC designation will enable the college to expand its training offer, share expertise with other institutions, and play a central role in increasing the supply of skilled workers across the West Midlands.
Diana Martin, Chief Executive and College Principal, described the announcement as a landmark moment, “This is superb news and recognises the significant growth we have achieved over the last three years, by responding to the huge training opportunities presented by the West Midlands Combined Authority’s Growth Plan, which will build 120,000 new homes, and through WMCA’s commitment to Homes for the Future, driving progress to net zero.
“In becoming a Centre for Excellence, we will be able to accelerate our mission to train hundreds of learners, who will have limitless employment opportunities as we see exponential demand for skills across this sector.”
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), led by Mayor Parker, brings together 18 local councils to deliver devolved powers and funding from central government, ensuring decisions about the region’s future are made locally. Billions of pounds are being invested to transform transport networks, regenerate derelict industrial land, support existing businesses, and grow innovative green industries.
At the heart of this vision is a commitment to a greener, more inclusive economy – one that meets the ambition to be net zero carbon by 2041 and offers every resident access to a good-quality, affordable home and the skills needed for a worthwhile job.
Mayor Parker’s four key priorities underpin this agenda, Jobs for everyone – creating well-paid employment, investing in skills, and reducing youth unemployment. Homes for everyone – building social and affordable housing and vibrant communities. Growth for everyone – supporting business innovation and ensuring economic benefits are shared widely. Journeys for everyone – delivering safer, easier, and more affordable transport connections.
With the new CTEC designation, Dudley College is set to become a central pillar in delivering on these ambitions. The funding will not only strengthen the construction skills pipeline but also open up career pathways that will help shape the West Midlands skyline for decades to come.
