Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department is taking steps to support new Technical Excellence Colleges to work in collaboration with established Institutes of Technology; and whether measures are in place to support existing partnerships and clarity among employer partners.

Technical Excellence Colleges (TECs) will draw on the experience and expertise of Institutes of Technology (IoTs), which have shown the benefits of collaborative working between employers, further education providers, and universities.

As system leaders, TECs have the autonomy and flexibility to shape and determine their partnerships locally and nationally, but the department has made it clear in our guidance that we expect TECs to work with IoT Partnerships. Many of the appointed TECs are part of existing IoTs.

All TECs will deliver via a hub and spoke model, working in collaboration with a network of providers to ensure that learners and employers across the country benefit. This way of working is critical to TEC success, which is why TECs are actively working together and with industry to ensure a cohesive system, supported by the department and other relevant governmental departments.