SECG awarded Higher Education Capital Funding Grant to expand Advanced Construction and Green Technology Provision

South Essex Colleges Group (SECG) is delighted to announce that it has been awarded a prestigious Higher Education Capital Funding Grant. This significant investment will enable Thurrock College, part of the Group, to expand its higher-level offer with new Higher Technical Qualifications in Modern Methods of Construction and Construction Management, alongside specialist courses in retrofit and emerging green technologies.

The Higher Education Capital Funding Grant is a government initiative designed to support universities and colleges in enhancing their physical infrastructure, such as buildings, land, and equipment. This will improve student learning environments and strengthen research capability.

This funding will equip learners with the knowledge and skills required to meet the growing demand for sustainable construction practices, including retrofit, low-carbon solutions and net-zero technologies. Thurrock College will also be able to broaden its adult learning provision through modular and short courses, enabling adults to train or reskill in these vital sectors. In addition, younger learners will benefit from clear progression routes into higher-level construction qualifications.

These developments will support the region’s industrial strategy for construction and address priorities outlined in the Essex Local Skills Improvement Plan. To ensure training aligns with current and future industry needs, the college is partnering with The Quantum Group to provide access to the latest technologies and expertise for local learners.

The college remains committed to working collaboratively across the sector, including with the Construction Technical Excellence College for the East of England and the South East Institute of Technology, for which South Essex Colleges Group is the lead provider.

Jayne Sheehan, Vice Group CEO – Innovation and Employment, said: “We are delighted to receive this substantial government grant, which will benefit our students in learning the latest techniques and allow us to retrain adults for the workforce of the future.”