Sustainable growth for Colchester Institute New funding enables expansion
The past few years have seen considerable progress at Colchester Institute, and this will be accelerated by the recent announcement of a government investment of £5million to further transform the Braintree campus into a centre of excellence for science, technology and other skills priority areas.
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Speaking earlier in the year about the phase one scheme, Christian Brodie, Chairman of the SE LEP commented: ‘We are pleased to be able to support this scheme which is directly addressing the skills needs of local businesses in these important sectors and will support young people into sustainable local employment routes.’ Adam Ward, Director of Faculty for Engineering Technologies explained how the new facilities will open up new ways of working for Colchester Institute: ‘We will have a very large open plan manufacturing facility that will replicate industrial facilities, in addition to more specific high-tech workshops. Our students, apprentices, the many employers we work with and the wider community will benefit from the training opportunities within a range of engineering and technology disciplines. These facilities, combined with the practical skills gained provide students with an excellent all-round ability – making them highly employable.’
Her enthusiasm is echoed by Gary Horne, Vice Principal for Finance and Corporate Development at Colchester Institute: ‘With 24% of all employees in the Braintree District working within the advanced manufacturing and construction sectors, it is vital that we are able to meet the needs of local employers. Our phase one STEM Innovation Centre, now almost complete, is designed to include three engineering workshops, two construction workshops and six other large classrooms – each with state-of- the-art facilities. It is envisaged the centre will be home to 3D printing, prototypes, CNC, plasma cutters, press breaks and guillotines. The facilities and equipment will enable students to develop and refine their skills to ensure that they are work-ready upon completion of their qualifications and easily transition from college into the work environment.’
The recently announced funding for the next phase of the Braintree campus masterplan was sought through a detailed application, following which the College was awarded a share of £22 million in Skills Capital Funding from the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SE LEP), aimed at reducing skills shortages, supporting growth industries and providing the best possible facilities for young people and adults in the region to access vocational and technical training. Alison Andreas, Principal of Colchester Institute is delighted with the news. ’This new funding programme really cements our status as one of the leading training providers in the region. Phase two of the STEM development could be available for use in 2019, which would be a huge achievement for everyone involved in the project. Delivering apprenticeships and training in these skills priority areas will boost the knowledge and skills base of the region, and enable us to keep pace with demand from regional businesses in these areas.’
The centre is being built to train young people and adults in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Phase one of the STEM Innovation Centre, due to open April 2017, will provide specialist training facilities within the manufacturing, construction and engineering sectors as well as digital skills and IT. With an estimated 44,000 new recruits likely to be needed in construction-related roles across Essex by 2021 and more specifically, 14,000 new houses to be built in Braintree by 2033 there are an estimated 20,000 new jobs to be created across the region.
Institute see their website at www.colchester.ac.uk or tel 01206 712000
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