NAA Member News: B&FC – An Introduction to Lancashire and Cumbria Institute of Technology
Do you have a skills gap in your business? Struggling to recruit the next generation of talent? Looking for an academic partner that understands the nuances of your business? That’s where Lancashire and Cumbria Institute of Technology comes in.
Institutes of Technology (IoTs) are a relatively new term. They were established by the Department for Education (DfE) to deliver world-class higher technical education – helping to increase the supply of high-skilled technicians across key industries that our economy needs. The National Network of Institutes of Technology is supported by the Gatsby Foundation.
Lancashire & Cumbria Institute of Technology (L&C IoT) covers Lancashire and Cumbria – an area renowned for making great products. Our IoT represents an investment of over £8.7 million in industry-standard equipment to ensure the technology our students use is representative of the equipment used in industry.
L&C IoT consists of seven academic partners including Blackpool & The Fylde College – the lead partner, Burnley College, Nelson and Colne College Group, Preston College, Runshaw College, Blackburn College, and Lancaster & Morecambe College.
Research Partners include Edge Hill University, Lancaster University and University of Central Lancashire.
WORLD-CLASS TECHNICAL SKILLS
The aim of the IoT is to inspire and teach world-class technical skills, using industry-standard facilities and equipment funded by the IoT. We work closely with employers to ensure that the skills we’re teaching are aligned to the needs of your business.
Our courses cover these core sectors:
- Automotive
- Computing
- Engineering and manufacturing
- Construction
- Health and medical
- Science
SKILLS FIT FOR THE FUTURE
L&C IoT is addressing current skills gaps to anticipate the needs of the future. We are taking an insight-driven approach to create opportunities in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).
Our aim is to break down geographical barriers to education, to provide industry-standard training facilities and create career pathways for learners.
AMBITIOUS VISION
This vision will allow L&C IoT to facilitate the development and retention of local talent, create new opportunities for existing staff, and provide strategic direction for STEM provision in the North West. We’re working with employers to co-create courses to give existing staff the skills they need now, and to shape the education of their future workforces. As an example, we’ve worked with one manufacturer to upskill its employees in automation to ensure it can win valuable projects. Others are working with us on apprenticeships.
FIND A COURSE:
COLLABORATIVE APPROACH
If there’s a course, or a skill you want to see taught, then we’d like to hear from you. Get in touch: employer@iot.ac.uk
We’re looking for more businesses to become employee partners and join our advisory boards.
It’s only through working with industry that we will truly be able to meet the needs of our region.
If you’d like to be involved, please get in touch: employer@iot.ac.uk
