South Bank Colleges has been officially selected as a WorldSkills UK Centre of Excellence, marking a major milestone in the college’s ongoing work to raise standards in technical and vocational education across London and beyond.

The recognition places South Bank Colleges within a distinguished national network dedicated to embedding world-class teaching practice and supporting young people to develop the advanced skills that employers need most. It also acknowledges the commitment of staff across the college, whose work in recent months has driven the successful application.

The announcement was confirmed by WorldSkills UK, in partnership with NCFE, the specialist awarding organisation that co-leads the national Centre of Excellence programme. This initiative brings together cutting-edge international insights, educator development, and industry collaboration to transform skills delivery for the modern workforce.

Tim Weston, Director of STEAM – Career Pathways at South Bank Colleges, emphasised the significance of the achievement, saying, “This is a major step forward for the college. Becoming a WorldSkills UK Centre of Excellence reflects the dedication and ambition of our teaching teams, who continue to push for the highest standards in technical education. I’m incredibly proud of the work that has gone into this, and excited for the opportunities it will create for our students and apprentices.”

As a Centre of Excellence, South Bank Colleges will gain access to:

• specialist professional development, helping educators adopt global best practice.

• expert coaching and masterclasses across priority skills areas.

• opportunities to collaborate with UK and international industry leaders.

• cutting-edge resources and benchmarking tools that support excellence in teaching, training and assessment.

The programme ultimately aims to strengthen the UK skills economy by championing high-quality apprenticeships and technical routes, supporting young people to thrive in emerging and rapidly changing sectors.

Parisa Shirazi, Director of Standards at WorldSkills UK, welcomed South Bank Colleges into the programme, stating, “We are delighted to welcome South Bank Colleges into the WorldSkills UK Centre of Excellence. This partnership will help embed world-class teaching practices and ensure all students and apprentices develop the future-ready skills that will help drive jobs and economic growth.”

Dr Rebecca Conway, Director of Research and Innovation at NCFE, added, “Through the Centre of Excellence, we’re investing in educators who inspire their learners and champion the highest standards across technical education. Institutions like South Bank Colleges play a crucial role in raising aspirations and delivering excellence for young people.”

This accolade joins a growing list of achievements for South Bank Colleges and will soon be visible across the college estate and digital platforms through official Centre of Excellence branding and a dedicated plaque at the London South Bank Technical College campus.

With this new status, the college continues its mission to provide industry-led, future-focused education that prepares students for real opportunities in the modern workforce.