Department for Education and Skills
7 May 2002
Hodge announces new technology institutes to fill skills gaps in regions
Exciting new measures aimed at tackling skills shortages in information technology experienced by small businesses were announced today by Margaret Hodge the Minister for Lifelong Learning and Higher Education.
Eighteen regional groups of higher education institutions, further education colleges, and private sector partners, were given the go-ahead to become New Technology Institutes (NTIs) with the brief to offer high quality training in advanced technology skills both to businesses and students.
Announcing the locations of the NTIs, which are being funded by £25m announced last year, Margaret Hodge said:
"NTIs offer a new and exciting opportunity for further and higher education and industry to work together to deliver the latest information technology training in an accessible and responsive way for up to 10,000 people by 2005. This is essential for both individuals and business, and critical to the success of local and regional economies. NTIs will work with all the key regional agencies and networks to achieve their aim of helping to close the information technology skills gap."
The NTIs include:
- West Yorkshire NTI which will provide computing skills - networking, telecommunications, hardware repair and maintenance across West Yorkshire;
- Lancashire and Cumbria NTI which will focus on the increasing need for information technology in local engineering, aerospace and automotive industries;
- Ipswich NTI which will provide training in multi-media, digital arts and accountancy in Suffolk.
Chief Executive of the Higher Education Funding Council for England, Sir Howard Newby, said:
"I am pleased that we are supporting the establishment of 18 NTIs across England, not only because they will provide significant new facilities and opportunities to raise skills levels in the regions, but also because NTIs demonstrate the importance of a partnership approach."We have worked closely with the Learning and Skills Council to deliver this initiative, and universities, colleges and employers have worked collaboratively to develop each successful NTI proposal."
John Harwood, Chief Executive of the Learning and Skills Council, said:
"We very much welcome the creation of these new Institutes. They will receive significant improvements in local and regional ICT abilities. Learners will have access to top class provision and SMEs will be able to gain the technical skills to compete on national and international stages."Initiatives like this are crucial if we are to improve our competitiveness and create sustained prosperity for all. I look forward to our continuing partnership with HEFCE and the individual NTIs."
Consortia recommended for NTI status - subject to contract negotiations
| Region | NTI Title | Lead HEI |
|---|---|---|
| WM | NTI in the Eastside Learning and Technology Quarter | University of Central England |
| WM | Coventry University NTI | Coventry University |
| LON | Kingston University NTI | Kingston University |
| LON | Thames Gateway London NTI | University of East London |
| NW | Lancashire & Cumbria NTI | University of Central Lancashire |
| NW | Manchester Technology and Media Institute NTI | Manchester Metropolitan University |
| SW | South West NTI | Bournemouth University |
| SW | Wessex and Wiltshire NTI | University of Bath |
| EM | Dagenham NTI | Loughborough University |
| EM | NTI for East Midlands | De Montfort University |
| SE | North Kent Thames Gateway NTI | University of Kent at Canterbury |
| SE | Thames Valley NTI | University of Reading |
| YH | The West Yorkshire NTI Partnership | Leeds Metropolitan University |
| YH | East Yorkshire/Humber/York/ and North Yorkshire NTI | University of Hull |
| Eastern | The IP City NTI | University of East Anglia |
| Eastern | Thames Gateway south Essex NTI | University of Essex |
| NE | NTI for Tyne & Wear and Northumberland | Northumbria University |
| NE | Tees Valley NTI | University of Teesside |
Notes
1. The February 2001 DfEE/DTI White Paper on enterprise, skills and innovation, 'Opportunity for all in a world of change', set out the next steps that Government, business and individuals need to take to ensure economic success in the decades ahead. The package of measures announced in the White Paper included the establishment of New Technology Institutes (NTIs). The 2001 Labour Party Manifesto included the following commitment For skill shortages in information technology we will open two Technology Institutes in every region to meet the rising demand for high-level technical skills.
2. The Government is making available £25 million from the Capital Modernisation Fund towards establishing two NTIs per region. Consortia bidding to establish NTIs were required to demonstrate substantial contributions from other funding sources.
3. NTIs will offer: high quality facilities for teaching ICT and advanced technology skills from NVQ level 3 to Foundation Degree, for both full-time students and those in employment, and to create pathways to honours degrees; and advice and support to SMEs on the effective adoption of new technology and innovative business practices. Each NTI will be expected to train 250 to 500 students per year, and to provide services to 50 SMEs each year.
4. The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) is leading on establishing NTIs, working in partnership with the LSC, and chairing a national NTI Steering group including representatives from the Department for Education and Skills, DTI, e-skills NTO, UfI learndirect, and South East RDA. In a two stage bidding process, all bids have been assessed by both Regional Advisory Groups and the national Steering group.
5. The 18 consortia bids recommended for NTI status by the steering group have been approved by the HEFCE Board. Detailed contract negotiations are now underway between HEFCE and the 18 consortia before their NTI status can be confirmed and funding released.
6. The first NTIs are expected to start operating from this autumn, and all NTIs should be fully operational by 2004/05.