Yorkshire Colleges Partner to Boost Sustainable Construction Skills
June 30, 2026New initiative aims to enhance green skills across the region’s construction sector
A group of 17 colleges across Yorkshire and the Humber has formed a partnership with the Supply Chain Sustainability School to promote sustainable construction skills and training. This collaboration represents a regional effort to integrate industry-led learning into further education, supporting the development of a workforce equipped to meet the demands of low-carbon and sustainable building projects.
Partnership Details and Objectives
The Supply Chain Sustainability School works with over 225 partners across the UK, providing learning resources to more than 50,000 individuals from 7,000 supply chain businesses annually. This new agreement marks the first time the School has partnered with an entire regional network of colleges within the Construction Technical Excellence Colleges (CTECs) framework.
The 17 colleges involved will join the School’s Future Workforce Sector, gaining access to:
- Industry-developed learning materials for both students and continuing professional development (CPD) for staff
- Collaboration opportunities with built environment and education sector partners
- Over 4,000 sustainability resources and expert training modules
- Best practice guidance and access to a network of over 50,000 active members
Role of Leeds College of Building
Leeds College of Building (LCB) is the lead partner for the Yorkshire and Humber branch of the CTECs. The college was one of only ten across England to receive CTEC status for the 2025/2026 academic year. This status aims to support the training of 40,000 additional professionals by 2029 in trades critical to national infrastructure, housing, and green energy projects.
Rob Holmes, Vice Principal Curriculum, Quality and Innovation at LCB, highlighted the significance of the partnership, stating it provides local training providers with access to expertise and resources that might otherwise be unavailable. He emphasised the initiative’s alignment with Department for Education priorities and its contribution to positioning Yorkshire and the Humber as a leader in sustainable further education.
Supporting Local Businesses and Skills Development
As part of the partnership, the Supply Chain Sustainability School is organising a free training session titled “Skills for a Net Zero World: Unlock New Business Opportunities”. This event will take place at LCB’s South Bank Campus on Tuesday, 14 July, from 10 am to 12 pm.
The session is aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the construction and built environment sectors, as well as the CTEC college network. It will provide practical guidance on workforce capabilities needed for low-carbon projects and feature insights from industry leaders including Mitsubishi Electric, Mott MacDonald, and LCB. Attendees will also receive CPD training on the theory, terminology, and skills required to achieve net zero.
The event is funded through the Construction Industry Training Board’s (CITB) Industry Impact Fund. Those interested in attending can register to connect with other organisations, explore new business opportunities, and enhance their sustainability knowledge.
Further Information
For more details about the partnership and upcoming events, visit the Supply Chain Sustainability School’s website or contact Leeds College of Building directly.
