New proposed Institute of Technology could lead the UK’s digital and green revolution
Pioneering graduates from a new East Midlands Institute of Technology (IoT) would lead the UK’s green and digital revolution and form the beating heart of the country’s post-pandemic recovery.
Loughborough University, the University of Derby, Loughborough College and the Derby College Group (DCG) have joined forces on a £13m plan to create the highly advanced workforce needed to lead the digital revolution – otherwise known as Industry 4.0.
The East Midlands IoT would focus on levelling up the critical engineering, manufacturing and digital skills needed by employers to address the grand engineering challenges of clean growth by embracing the advanced skills required for AI and a data-driven economy.
The East Midlands IoT would focus on levelling up the critical engineering, manufacturing and digital skills needed by employers to address the grand engineering challenges of clean growth by embracing the advanced skills required for AI and a data-driven economy.
Graduates will be part of a net zero carbon workforce and support the UK’s journey to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Based in the heart of the East Midlands, the IoT would:
- deliver specialist student programmes such as Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies, Information and Communication Technology; Science and Mathematics and Construction, Planning and the Built Environment;
- work closely with global employers, including Rolls-Royce, Toyota, National Grid ESO, Alstrom, Fujitsu, Uniper and Bloc Digital, to ensure programmes provide the future workforce with the right skills;
- create an existing new IoT centre in Loughborough, with access to all four sites across the East Midlands.
The East Midlands IoT has been selected by the Government to enter the final round of applications to become one of eight new UK IoTs.
Professor Rachel Thomson FREng, pro vice-chancellor for Teaching at Loughborough University, said:
“We are really excited to be working with our partners - Loughborough College, University of Derby and Derby College Group - and key employers in Leicestershire and Derbyshire to create an outstanding Institute of Technology which will deliver much-needed digital and engineering skills to support industry and business across the region. Importantly, the IoT will provide access to the right training and skills development at the point of need to support our local community to have fulfilling careers throughout their working life.”
Tim Freeman, deputy managing director of Derbyshire-based Toyota Motor Manufacturing (UK) Limited, said:
“We are delighted to be a core signatory of the East Midlands Institute of Technology bid. A key part of our mid-term plan is to ensure we have the right skills for our workforce of the future, that we continue to decarbonise our processes and we capitalise on innovative solutions to advance our technologies. We see the skills, qualifications, research and innovation delivered through the East Midlands IoT as an excellent opportunity to achieve these strategic priorities.”
Loughborough MP Jane Hunt said:
“Loughborough College already has a strong track record of delivering high-quality teaching of STEM subjects and Loughborough University are world leaders in technological research. Both the College and University teamed with Derby College and the University of Derby to present a winning combination, perfectly placed to deliver an Institute of Technology that will deliver the skills that are needed by employers in our region.”
The successful applicants will be revealed later this year.
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