York to get 1 of 12 Institutes of Technology in England

York St John is proud to be part of a major partnership of education providers led by York College, which has received the green light from the Department of Education to work together to develop the Yorkshire and Humber Institute of Technology (IoT).  This is one of only 12 IOTs nationally, which are designed to increase higher level technical skills for employers.

The IoT will bring capital investment of circa £10million into the region for partners to invest in industry standard equipment and provide higher level technical training.  This massive training boost will enhance employment opportunities and ensure highly qualified employees for the regions’ employers. 

Professor Karen Stanton, Vice Chancellor of York St John University said “The Institute of Technology has already resulted in some fantastic collaboration between colleges, universities and employers in our region.  With the confirmation of our successful bid, we are looking forward to taking that work to the next stage for the shared benefit of people across Yorkshire and the Humber.  Alongside our new School of Science and Technology this fantastic news symbolises the University’s commitment to develop skills and research in this vital sector of the economy”.

 Alongside the University of Hull, York St John University will contribute Higher Education expertise.  York College will lead other Further Education providers: Askham Bryan College, Bishop Burton College, Craven College, East Riding College, Grimsby Institute of Further and Higher Education and Selby College.  Together the colleges and universities will jointly deliver the IoT in Yorkshire and the Humber. 

Alison Birkinshaw, Principal of York College says: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with Further and Higher Education providers to develop this prestigious Institute of Technology.  This is a once in a generation, transformational opportunity which will focus on developing higher level technical skills across the York, North Yorkshire, East Riding and North Humberside area.  The work we do will be supported by significant capital investment and will improve the level of skills, increase productivity, and make a real difference to the success of the region.  We are hugely grateful to our employer partners for their support in putting together this bid and are really looking forward to making our plans a reality.” 

The bid has received significant levels of employer support. Digital and Engineering businesses ViSR, CATCH, Skipton Building Society, GB Recruitment and ENGIE Fabricom recognised the need for investment in education to address their wider skills shortages and have been signed up as employer partners to be involved in designing the appropriate curriculum, supported by research from the universities. These employers will be part of the governance of the IoT to ensure continued collaboration and long term benefits for the region.