This is to increase the quality of construction skills provision across the region, by providing more consistent and high-quality delivery of sector-specific education and teacher training, including potential for design and uptake of new specialist courses tailored to employer needs.

 

The SECTEC is seeking to do this through the establishment of a Regional Knowledge Centre (RKC). 

 

The RKC will be the coordinating engine for regional collaboration across colleges, training providers, employers and universities, with a clear mission: to develop programmes and services that strengthen the recruitment, retention and development of industry‑expert construction technical teachers. 

 

Operating through a SECTEC‑led hub and Sub‑Regional Centres, the RKC will function much like a teaching hospital network - places where new teachers are trained, mentored and immersed in real-world technical learning environments. Crucially, the RKC will facilitate structured cross‑college collaboration to design shared workforce solutions, reduce duplication, and build a coherent regional approach to teacher supply. 

 

Employers and providers will work together to co‑design and co‑deliver new curriculum materials, specialist skills courses and industry‑aligned pedagogies, ensuring teaching reflects the latest construction technologies, methods and standards.

​

Initially, the SECTEC is working to develop new curriculum materials to support civil engineering and electrical, both of which will be available shortly and shared across the region.

 

The RKC will also take responsibility for coordinating the FE Teacher Industry Exchange (TIE) Programme, enabling teachers to refresh their industrial expertise and maintain credibility in fast‑changing construction environments.  To help us hit the ground running, the SECTEC is working with associates from the University of Warwick to develop good practice and processes for Further Education, based on the Army Reservist model, to run a pilot programme for people from industry coming into education.

 

To embed a culture of collaboration and knowledge exchange, the RKC will also establish a Community of South East Construction Training Professionals, connecting c. 900 construction technical teachers across the region. This community will act as a professional network for shared problem‑solving, peer learning and the continuous improvement of construction pedagogy.