Colleges’ ‘Institute of Technology’ Shortlisted For Government Funds
A Weston College-led proposal to create the West of England Institute of Technology (IoT) has been shortlisted by the Department for Education (DfE). If approved, the proposal will see up to £14m of government funding awarded to establish the IoT, designed to support the DfE ambition to create a network of Institutes of Technology. The West of England IoT aims to directly enhance the delivery of employer-led science, technology, engineering and maths provision to meet current and future workforce demands.
The West of England IoT is a Weston College-led consortium of education providers and key employers across the South West. It includes the University of the West of England, Bath College, Gloucestershire College, and Yeovil College as well as a network of key local employers, including GKN Aerospace, Airbus, GE Aviation, Renishaw, Weston Area Health Trust and St Monica Trust.
This IoT will bring together industry, education and research to design and deliver flexible higher-level technical learning to equip young people and those already in work with the skills to fully exploit new technologies and digital innovation to increase productivity and position the region as the ‘creators and makers’ of the future.
Capitalising on respective partners’ areas of academic and industry expertise, the IoT will provide training solutions to support the continued growth of regional excellence, where industry and academia work together to develop a sustainable pipeline of skilled labour to meet current, emerging and future demand. The IoT seeks to widen participation in targeted science, technology, engineering and maths higher education to ensure the region has the skills to drive and deliver resilient, inclusive and sustainable economic growth now and for the future.
It aims to support regional industry as it prepares to respond to regional, national and global skills needs, and prepare the current and future workforce to embrace and maximise the impact of digital innovation on key industry sectors that have regional and national impact on economic growth.
Dr Paul Phillips, Principal and Chief Executive of the Weston College Group, said: “We are thrilled to have got through to this stage and recognise that this project has the potential to significantly influence skills development on both a regional and national basis.”
He went on to say that the next stage would now involve detailed meetings with everyone involved in the process matched by rigorous timelines and financial analysis.
Professor Steve West, Vice-Chancellor, President and Chief Executive Officer of the University of the West of England commented: “UWE, Bristol is delighted to be supporting a very strong bid for an Institute of Technology that engages further education partners and employers from across our region.
"Clearly the strength of an innovative and collaborative bid focusing on developing the skills we need for the future has captured the attention of the Government. We look forward to moving to the next stage of our application where we would hope to secure the backing of ministers.”
