NSCG Secures Government Backing to Lead Advanced Manufacturing Technical Excellence College
Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG) has been officially named as one of just four national Advanced Manufacturing Technical Excellence Colleges (TECs) in England. Following a successful bid to the Department for Education (DfE), NSCG will now take a central role in securing the UK’s skills pipeline for the Advanced Manufacturing sector.
As a designated TEC, NSCG will spearhead an employer-led programme designed to accelerate the development of a skilled advanced manufacturing workforce, highlighted as a key priority sector in the Government’s wider Industrial Strategy. Supported by a significant DfE investment, the College will focus on bridging critical skills gaps, ensuring that more young people and adults have a direct route into well-paid, highly-skilled careers.
At the heart of the proposal is the creation of a £10M, purpose-built Advanced Manufacturing Hub in Stafford, which will become a new addition to the College estate. The facility will be operational by 2028/29, and will be located adjacent to the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Institute of Technology on Castle Street to maximise efficiencies and create a powerhouse of technical expertise and resources. The curriculum will be developed around ‘frontier technologies’ that are reshaping the global economy, including:
- Automation and Robotics
- Industry 4.0 and Smart Factories
- Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing)
- Clean Energy and Low-Carbon Manufacturing
As a national hub of excellence, NSCG will bridge the West Midlands and North West manufacturing corridors. The College will work with other colleges and unite with industry giants – including GE Vernova, Hitachi, Indurent, Moog, Siemens and the Applied Materials, Research & Commercialisation Company (AMRICC) – to ensure specialist expertise and resources are shared regionally, and beyond.
Commenting on the announcement, Craig Hodgson, Principal & Chief Executive of NSCG, said: “We are absolutely delighted that NSCG has been chosen to lead the development of a new cross-regional Technical Excellence College. This achievement is testament to the strength of our collaborative approach. We are particularly grateful for the support from our local MPs and major industry partners – including Siemens, Hitachi and GE Vernova – who supported our application with a fantastic vote of confidence in our ability to deliver the high-quality technical education that our economy demands.
By strengthening our facilities and enhancing our specialist training in Advanced Manufacturing, we are not just providing our students with a world-class education; we are ensuring they have a clear, direct path into technically skilled, well-paid careers. We look forward to working with our employer network and partner colleges to ensure this investment drives lasting opportunity for our learners and sustained economic growth for our region, and beyond.”
NSCG currently supports 1,150 learners on advanced manufacturing programmes and partners with 240 advanced manufacturing businesses. With 92% of students progressing into related employment, apprenticeships or further study, with employers including GE Vernova, Rolls-Royce and the Ministry of Defence.
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