Plans advance for new university-backed Institute of Technology

The University of Brighton is part of a consortium led by Chichester College Group (CCG) – along with the University of Sussex and North East Surrey College of Technology (NESCOT) – which will receive government funding to enhance higher level skills training across the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) region.

IoTs are intended to increase higher technical education across the country by encouraging more people to continue studying, as well as attracting people of all ages to upskill or retrain. The new investment will create cutting-edge facilities for higher level technical training with a focus on digital and sustainable technologies across a number of sectors including engineering and construction.

Crawley College

The planned Institute of Technology will feature a new £10m state-of-the-art hub at Crawley College, housing engineering and digital ‘Learning Factories’, along with specialist spokes for delivery at locations across the region, from East Surrey and the Gatwick Diamond to rural West Sussex and coastal communities.

The project is now at pre-award stage and work will continue over the coming months to finalise plans and timings with the Department for Education. The new-build IoT Hub at Crawley is planned to be completed by March 2024, but delivery of the project programmes is planned to commence in advance of this.

Professor Debra Humphris, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Brighton, said: “This is fantastic news for people and businesses in our region. It will provide new pathways for learners from all backgrounds to expand their knowledge and develop valuable new skills that we know are in demand from local employers.

“Working closely with Chichester College Group, our Institute of Technology will create an exciting new partnership between universities, colleges and employers to deliver the technical skills we need now and in the future. It will complement and build on the University of Brighton’s strong track record of educating the professionals of tomorrow through high-quality, practice-based learning.”

Julie Kapsalis, Managing Director at Chichester College Group and chair of the region’s bid consortium, said: “This is a huge development for our region and is testament to the power of partnership working between our colleges, universities and businesses. Our IoT will champion social mobility and widen participation in higher education; our courses will be designed and delivered in partnership with employers to meet their needs.

“The opportunity to establish an IoT in the region has been a unique catalyst for collaboration, bring together our institutions around a shared vision and objectives.”