The South West Institute of Technology (SWIoT) has secured its future for the next 10 years.
One of the original six members of the national network of 21 IoTs, SWIoT is a collaboration between universities, colleges and major employers aimed at strengthening the understanding, availability, excellence and economic-fit of higher-level technical skills education, across the south west peninsula.
Established in 2019, under licence from the Department for Education, SWIoT has invested over £27m in leading-edge facilities for the delivery of Higher Technical Education (HTE) in centres across Somerset, Devon and Cornwall. The licence extension, to July 2034, was granted this summer against SWIoT’s new Strategic Plan which includes robust commitments to address the needs of employers including many of those identified in the Devon and Somerset LSIP.
Alongside the Universities of Plymouth and Exeter, Bridgwater & Taunton College, City College Plymouth, Exeter College, Petroc and Truro & Penwith College, two new education partners, South Devon College and Cornwall College, have joined the SWIoT consortium.
In addition to strengthening the geographic coverage of the IoT, the new colleges bring additional specialist curriculum expertise in engineering and healthcare, expanding the capability of the consortium to support the emerging growth sectors of the regional economy.
NNB Generation Company (HPC) Ltd, an operating company of EDF, also became a member of the consortium in July. They join existing employer-partners TDK, Devonport Royal Dockyard and Met Office, as driving forces behind the development of new provision, and the shaping of strategy, to build the technical skills-base which is critical to raising the competitive edge of the south west beyond that of its competitors.
Focusing on technical skills at Levels 4 and 5, and with the opportunity of further progression, courses are delivered by the SWIoT member colleges and universities. They include Apprenticeships and Degree Apprenticeships, Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs), Higher Nationals, short and CPD courses bespoke to specific industries and employers.
A particular focus is the development and delivery of ‘modular’ versions of longer qualifications, required to meet the needs of employers and in-work learners, which have been identified by various Employer Representative Bodies, and cited in the Devon and Somerset LSIP, as a critical factor in addressing the higher technical skills challenge.
SWIoT has a key role in the promotion, development and provision of enhanced technical skills education for the south west, and in raising awareness of the opportunities which Higher Technical Education brings, for businesses and individuals.
Now that its future is secured, SWIoT will launch a new website, build an enhanced media profile and host its first annual conference to bring together stakeholders to share, consult and collaborate towards the strengthening of the region’s technically-skilled workforce.
In the coming years, SWIoT aims to become a key component of economic development strategy in the south west.
For further information please contact info@swiot.ac.uk.
