Member Article

UK educational think-tank meets at TyneMet to discuss future skills demands

A UK-wide educational think-tank met at TyneMet College last week to explore how colleges can meet future skills demands and accelerate economic growth.

The Intelligent College Network is made up of the UK’s top 16 colleges with advanced capability in Science, Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) and was formed in August 2012 in response to the publication of the New Engineering Foundation’s (NEF) ‘The Intelligent College’ report. The group encourages knowledge exchange, examines and addresses the needs of employers, and supports research and government initiatives relevant to training and STEM sectors.

The ICN meeting hosted by Tyne Metropolitan College highlighted the impact and value of the work done at TyneMet College whilst also discussing STEM promotion and advocating best practice.

TyneMet College was the first college in the North of England to be awarded STEM Assured® accreditation and is the only member college of the Intelligent College Network from the North East region.

Dr Sarah Peers, director of Programmes, NEF: The Innovation Institute, welcomed the delegates, who had travelled from; Barnsley College, Blackburn College, Cambridge Regional College, Forth Valley College, Harrow College, Oxford & Cherwell Valley College, Selby College, Sheffield College and Uxbridge College.

At the meeting, TyneMet showcased the impact of its STEM investment through partnership working with local employers, pioneering school and university engagement as well as highlighting innovation within its teaching and learning practices.

STEM activities at TyneMet are very diverse, ranging from a variety of STEM-focussed events to bespoke qualifications and a STEM-focussed school liaison service to engage with local schools and other organisations across the region to promote and embed STEM careers from primary school age upwards.

TyneMet’s teaching team was praised for its innovative use of technology and cutting-edge software to engage with and motivate young people to get more involved in lessons and learning beyond the classroom.

The College works closely with local employers to ensure that STEM-focussed training courses are developed to meet the demand of specialist future industries. The Colleges engineering department showcased their facilities, student achievement and employer work and shared with the ICN, how this has been achieved over a number of years.

Mark Armstrong from Siemens Energy Service – Integrated Training, described via video link how Siemens Energy Service and TyneMet College have established a strong working relationship to develop tailored training that can support the future growth of their highly skilled workforce and the engineering industry in the region.

TyneMet also talked about their recent success in securing £1.5 million in grants and sponsorship to establish the North East Advanced Machining Academy (NEAMA), in partnership with Chirton Engineering. NEAMA will be a dedicated centre for the training and development of specialist engineering provision to meet the demands of today’s diverse engineering sector.

Audrey Kingham, deputy principal Curriculum and Business Development, TyneMet College and national chair of the Intelligent College Network, said: “We were delighted to have been able to host this event at TyneMet, we are very proud of all of our STEM activities and it was great for us to share with the network our visions for developing this agenda for the future.

“As the first college in the North of England to be awarded STEM Assured® status, recognising excellence across Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths; TyneMet has already established itself as the go-to provider for these subjects.

“Working with sector specialists, we are able to adapt the curriculum and tailor training programmes to meet employers’ needs which are critical for the College and the region’s continuing growth and success.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by TyneMet College .