South East Colleges Unite to Drive Excellence in Construction Skills Through Anchor Colleges Partnership
Updated: 4 days ago
London, 2 September 2026 – Five Further Education Colleges from across the South East have joined the CTEC Hub, North Kent Colleges Group, to form the newly established Anchor Colleges Partnership.
Senior Leaders from the newly formed Anchor Colleges - Abingdon & Witney College, Brooklands Technical College, Buckinghamshire College Group, Chichester College Group, City of Portsmouth College and North Kent Colleges Group - gathered in London for the Partnership's inaugural meeting, marking the launch of this collaborative partnership through which colleges will share expertise, influence sector priorities, and work collectively to address regional construction skills challenges.
The South East has over 35 fantastic colleges and training providers delivering construction skills, and Anchor Colleges will play a leadership role in driving stronger collaboration and innovation amongst further education and employers to strengthen construction skills and employment outcomes within their locality and collectively across the region.
The partnership aims to create a more coordinated, responsive, and sustainable approach to construction education and training, ensuring provision remains aligned to industry needs and future workforce demands.
Together, the SECTEC aims to:
Support local employers and regional economic growth
Improve learner outcomes and progression opportunities
Share best practice and innovation across the network
Address construction skills shortages and workforce challenges
Influence the development of qualifications, policy and industry standards
Strengthen collaboration between education, employers and industry stakeholders
Executive Director at SECTEC, Helen Russell commented,
"The Anchor Colleges Partnership is about shared ownership and leadership of the SECTEC, creating a real collaboration and partnership across all colleges and partners, locally and regionally, with the sole aim of boosting construction skills needed by employers. This shared commitment will help us to improve learner outcomes, address labour shortages, seize new opportunities, such as through major developments and sector growth and address shared challenges, such as the recruitment and development of technical teachers.
Media Enquiries: SECTEC (North Kent Colleges Group)