Building The Next Generation of Construction: CCG Named SECTEC Anchor College  

The Chichester College Group (CCG) has been recognised as one of the South East’s leading construction providers after being awarded SECTEC Anchor College accreditation.  

The group is one of five elite colleges across the South East to receive the accreditation, which recognises the quality, scale, and consistency of on-site construction skills provision.  

Launched by North Kent College, the South East Construction Technical Excellence College’s (SETAC) Anchor Colleges Partnership brings together leading providers to share their different expertise and best practice.  

It also encourages colleges to support local employers in the area, tackle regional skills shortages and influence sector priorities.  

CCG joins Abingdon & Witney College, Brooklands Technical College, Buckinghamshire College Group and City of Portsmouth College in the latest round of accreditation, reflecting each college’s hard work and investment in their construction provision.  

The accreditation follows a series of major capital investments across the different colleges in the group.  

This included the completion of the Sussex & Surrey Institute of Technology (SSIoT) at Crawley College, a £15 million facility which brings together universities, colleges and employers to deliver Higher Technical Qualifications, apprenticeships and degrees.  

The investment also included a new state-of-the-art Construction and Trades Centre at Northbrook College, which features specialist facilities for brickwork, carpentry and joinery.  

In May of this year (2026), Crawley College also opened a new Construction Hub facility, which included specialist workshops and dedicated training bays, offering students true hands-on experience.  

This was followed in July this year with the opening of the new Vaillant Training Facility at Brighton MET College, built in partnership with heating manufacturer Vaillant and Optimus Heating. The facility has begun to equip the next generation with the practical skills needed for heating, plumbing and low-carbon technologies.  

This investment comes as the South East faces a construction workforce challenge. In 2024, the CITB Construction Skills Network cited the need for an additional 10,400 workers in the region from 2024 to 2028.  

Dean WynterVice Principal of Crawley College, said:  

“I’m extremely proud that Chichester College Group has been recognised as a SECTEC Anchor College. Our investment in facilities, technology and employer partnerships puts us in a strong position to make a real difference to construction skills across the region. By working together, we can give students outstanding opportunities while helping employers access the skilled people they need for the future.” 

CCG also continues to adapt to the changes in requirements in the construction industry, as courses across the group now include retrofit within construction, and new alternative energy courses co-created with employers to further address regional skills gaps.  

To find out about the range of Construction courses available across the Chichester College Group, please visit the links below:  

Brighton MET College  Brinsbury College  Chichester College  Crawley College  Northbrook College