a. Institute of Technology update
b. Herts Skills Strategy and what it means for Stevenage/North Herts
Minutes:
(a) Institute of Technology update
Julie Newlan (University of Hertfordshire) advised that the UK government was establishing high-quality Institutes of Technology (IoTs) across England. These new employer-led IoTs would offer higher level technical educationto help close skills gaps in STEM. IoTs were collaborations between Higher/Further Education and employers which specialised in delivering higher technical education with a focus on STEM.
Julie stated that 12 IoTs were established in 2019. Hertfordshire was successful in Stage One of the Department of Education’s bid process and on 16 June 2021 the University submitted its second stage application. An announcement of the successful proposals would be made in Autumn 2021. If successful, the Herts IoT would be launched in August 2022, with a licence for 5 years.
Julie explained that the core aims of the IoT would be to:
· Significantly increase the number of learners with higher technical skills which were crucial to national, regional and local productivity growth;
· Attract a wide range of learners to maximise the social as well as the economic impact of this new type of institution; and
· Improve the occupational competency of learners to meet the needs of employers now and in the future.
In respect of the IoT Consortium, Julie commented that the Core Partners would be the University of Hertfordshire, North Herts College and West Herts College; the Additional Partners would be Oaklands College and Hertford Regional College; the Core Employers would be Wilmott Dixon Construction Ltd, GlaxoSmithKline Research & Development Ltd, MBDA UK Ltd and Ocado Central Service Ltd; and the Delivery Partner would be University Campus St. Albans.
Julie advised that the IoT would be a dispersed business model, operating from the University campus, North Herts College and West Herts College, and the bid included £13M worth of associated capital improvement projects to teaching and laboratory spaces. The learning/teaching focus would be on Life Sciences (60%), followed by Construction (25%) and Digital (15%). The curriculum would comprise 80% to Level 4/5 (sub-degree) standard; 15% to Level 6 (degree) standard; and 5% to Level 7 (Masters/PhD) standard.
The Board Chair congratulated Julie and her Team on their achievements, and hoped that the IoT would help to increase the prospects of Stevenage residents in achieving technical/scientific qualifications to enable them to commence a career with one of the many world-class employers in the town
(b) Herts Skills Strategy and what it means for Stevenage/North Herts
Norman Jennings (Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership) gave a slide presentation on the Hertfordshire Skills & Employment Strategy 2021-24.
Norman advised that the Hertfordshire Local Skills Report (March 2021) provided a detailed insight into local skills needs across the county. It acted as an engagement tool through which Skills advisory Panels (SAPs) could engage with, influence and rally employers and providers in their areas to support the local skills agenda. The Report clearly sets out local skills needs to ensure they were visible to partners who can then engage with them, and offered valuable insight and evaluation on the progress made on current local skills initiatives, whilst utilising future plans to plug key skills gaps.
Norman explained that the Hertfordshire Skills & Employment Strategy 2021-24 had been developed jointly between the Herts LEP, Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) and the Department for Work & Pensions aimed at helping to increase both the county’s existing and future workforce. The latest edition was published on 19 July 2021 and was available to download.
Norman stated that the Skills & Employment Strategy had the following 5 key themes:
· Young People: unlocking emerging talent;
· Adults: working towards lifelong learning and full employment;
· Employers: skills to grow small and medium-size businesses;
· Sectors: harnessing the opportunities and developing skills of the future; and
· Places: making the most of our internal and external geographies.
Norman advised that the Strategy was being used to influence the HCC Employment, Education & Training Strategy; the Apprenticeships & Technical Education Strategy; the Community Renewal Fund and/or UK Shared prosperity Fund; the Local Skills Improvement Plan; Local, district level skills and employment strategies and action plans; and discussions with training delivery partners.
Norman presented some data which showed the disparity between Stevenage residents and residents in Hertfordshire as a whole in respect of those receiving out of work benefits (including 16-24 year olds); workplace earnings; qualifications (both at Level 2+ and Level 4+); and apprenticeships (both for all ages and 16-18 year olds).
Norman concluded by stating that the next steps would be to refresh the local evidence base; develop a Stevenage Skills & Employment Strategy based on the county strategy; alignment with the Stevenage Economy Taskforce Action Plan; alignment for key sill-related initiatives, such as SITEC, Construction Hub, Gen Stevenage, STEM Centre etc.; and approval of a local action plan and targets. Progress would be reported to the Stevenage Development Board.
Comments made by Board Members included:
· This was a fantastic opportunity to align local skills with local jobs in the rapidly expanding Cell & Gene sector;
· The focus on STEM opportunities was welcomed, but sight should not be lost of skills development focussed on the hospitality, tourism and design technology sectors; and
· The Hertfordshire Growth Board (North East & Central Cluster) had earmarked £750K for a Community Wealth Building Fund to support the skills agenda, but further Government funding was required. The Growth Board was also aware that the skills of young people would need to be developed in the new technologies aimed at tackling emerging and future Climate Change issues.