A new Adult Skills Programme has launched at Sunderland College, part of a £1 million North East Combined Authority investment to tackle construction skills shortages and create clear pathways into employment for adults across the region.
The North East Construction Skills programme is led by the College’s Housing Innovation and Construction Skills Academy (HICSA), a pioneering regional gateway for construction training and the North East’s Construction Technical Excellence College (CTEC).
During the launch event, delegates from the North East Combined Authority – led by Executive Director Dr Charlotte Carpenter – toured HICSA’s industry-standard facilities and employer-led training environments, meeting staff and a cohort of learners who will benefit from the programme, which begins this month.
Representatives from Sunderland College – including newly appointed Chief Executive Toni Rhodes – joined colleagues from Gentoo, Nissan, the North East Housing Partnership, Re:Gen, MADE NE, Invest People Group, Velux and Ambion Heating, alongside partner colleges from across the North East Bishop Auckland College, Derwentside College, East Durham College, Education Training Collective (Etc), Gateshead College, Newcastle College, Northumberland College, Sunderland College and Tyne Coast College. A networking session highlighted the strong collaborative approach underpinning delivery across the North East.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “It’s great to see the learners at this brilliant facility in Sunderland.
“We’re investing so hundreds of local people can receive training to secure a green job in construction and make sure skills shortages are a thing of the past.
“I want our region to lead the way in low carbon building and innovation, that’s why we’re proud to back this work and put local people on the path to a great, green job.”
Sunderland College Chief Executive, Toni Rhodes, added: “We are proud to be delivering the North East Construction Skills programme at HICSA as the North East’s Construction Technical Excellence College and would like to thank the North East Combined Authority and our industry, college and training provider partners for their support.
“The programme will provide adult learners across the region with access to high-quality training, recognised qualifications and clear progression routes into employment, while helping to address skills shortages and support the future growth of the construction sector in the North East.”
Funded through a combination of national investment and additional support from the North East Combined Authority, as part of the New Deal for North East Workers, the Adult Skills Programme will support a minimum of 227 adult learners in its first year. It is designed to address critical skills shortages by delivering flexible, employer-led training that rapidly upskills residents.
Sunderland College, working with a consortium of regional further education providers, secured the contract to deliver an integrated programme of construction skills provision.
Learners will gain practical construction skills alongside industry-recognised certifications, helping to build an inclusive, job-ready workforce to support the delivery of housing, infrastructure and economic growth across the region.
Programmes will combine regulated and non-regulated learning, with a strong emphasis on English, maths, digital and ‘work ready’ skills, pre-employment support, workshops, placements and onsite visits, and support to obtain a CSCS card.
Flexible learning pathways will be available for unemployed residents aged 19 and over who live within North East Combined Authority areas, including County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland. Delivery will take place face-to-face at HICSA, partner colleges and independent training providers, combining tutor-led vocational training with contextualised English, maths and digital skills development.
Inclusion sits at the heart of the programme, with targeted access for individuals from low-income households and wraparound support including childcare and travel assistance.
The programme aims to improve outcomes for groups underrepresented in construction, including care-experienced individuals, women, people with physical or mental health conditions, and young adults aged 19–25 who are not in education, employment or training (NEET).
Learners will be referred through DWP Jobcentres, local authorities, housing associations, voluntary and community organisations, community and faith groups, the probation service, recruitment agencies and established initiatives such as Trade Up North East, Women into Construction North East, Skills Bootcamps and Building Employment Futures. Clear progression routes will be in place into apprenticeships, entry-level roles and trainee tradesperson opportunities.
The programme is supported by social housing organisations involved in the North East Housing Partnership, residential property developers such as Robertson Homes and Vistry, and infrastructure projects like the QTS data centre.
Sunderland College, as part of college group EPNE, receives an Outstanding rating across the board in its latest Ofsted inspection.
November 26, 2024
The Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson MP, officially opened HICSA – a pioneering regional gateway for skills training.
November 12, 2025
EPNE has announced the appointment of Toni Rhodes as its new Chief Executive, following a national governor-led recruitment process.
November 11, 2025
98% of our students progress to a positive destination
(*Destination data for Sunderland College students aged 16-18, academic year 2017/18).
Our achievement rates are well above the national average.
We are the College of the Year.
(*Top college nationally for BTECs, Pearson 2019)
100% of our HND and HNC students progressed to employment or further study.
(*Destination data, academic year 2016/17, HNC 19+)
We have recently invested £50 million in our facilities.
