NSCG Secures Government Backing to Lead Advanced Manufacturing Technical Excellence College
14th April 2026
Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG) has today 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.
The College proudly leads the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Institute of Technology (IoT), working in close collaboration with two other Institutes of Technology (Cheshire & Warrington IoT and Greater Birmingham and Solihull IoT) to amplify our collective impact. Together, we bring employers, higher education institutions and further education colleges together to deliver world-class advanced technical education in areas including engineering, manufacturing and digital. The new Advanced Manufacturing TEC will be located on the IoT site, enabling us to maximise efficiencies, share expertise and create a powerful, connected hub of technical skills and resources. Opening in 2028, the facility will strengthen our joint commitment to driving higher-level technical skills, supporting innovation, and providing clear, seamless progression routes for learners from entry level through to Level 7, across Staffordshire and the wider region 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."
Commenting on the regional impact, Georgina Barnard, Vice Principal Institute of Technology and HE said: “NSCG is exceptionally proud to have been awarded Technical Excellence College status in Advanced Manufacturing. Working in collaboration with two other IoTs allows us to accelerate the development of higher-level technical skills at scale, creating a genuinely transformative opportunity for the region. This partnership will strengthen productivity, attract investment, and ensure learners and employers alike benefit from a future‑focused skills ecosystem that supports growth across Staffordshire and beyond.”
Leigh Ingham, MP for Stafford, Eccleshall and the villages, added: "NSCG is so deserving of this national recognition, which brings with it significant government investment. Creating opportunities for young people is one of my top priorities as an MP, and where better to do it than in advanced manufacturing, which opens up access to well-paid, skilled careers in one of the most exciting sectors in the country. I'm so incredibly proud to have worked with the brilliant NSCG team and other MPs to help make this happen.”
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.