Today, the Government has announced Salford University with Bury College have successfully won their bid for Institute of Technology status – ensuring students in Bury play a key part in the Government’s skills revolution, which will level up opportunities for everyone across Bury Ramsbottom and Tottington.
James Daly, Bury’s MP, has celebrated this news after his long campaign to bring Institute of Technology status to Bury College and the town. Institute of Technologies specialise in delivering higher technical education and are part of the Government’s plans to reform technical training to help employers get the skilled workforce they need and offer local people rewarding and higher-paid careers.
Commenting, James Daly MP said:
“This is absolutely fantastic news; I’m so pleased that all the work and campaigning we have done to achieve this has paid off, and we can deliver an Institute of Technology to the people of Bury and Greater Manchester.”
“I’ve been campaigning and lobbying Ministers to grant Bury College, with the University of Salford, Institute of Technology (IoT) status and this now will ensure students in Bury can get the skills and education, supported by outstanding employer partners including GCHQ, to enter and excel in a fast-moving, emerging jobs market.”
“The opportunities this will bring to not just 16- to 18-year-olds but learners of all ages are incredible, and I am so pleased to have been part of the team campaigning for this and ultimately delivering a brilliant asset to Bury.”
As IoTs are employer-led, they can react quickly to the current and evolving technical skills needs of an area. Institutes of Technology are unique collaborations between employers, colleges and universities that specialise in offering high-quality Higher Technical Education and training, which will deliver the skilled workforce businesses need and get more people into jobs closer to home.
Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said:
“Ensuring everyone is given the opportunity to reach their full potential, no matter their age or life stage, is a vital part of our mission to level up this country.
“These measures, including our new short courses and nine new Institutes of Technology, will boost access to more high-quality and flexible education and training – giving people the chance to learn at a pace that is right for them while ensuring we have the skilled workforce needed to boost our economy.”
The Chancellor announced in the Budget that an extra £1.6 billion would be invested in 16-19 education and training by 2024-25 compared with the 2021-22 financial year. Today the Department for Education has published details of how £615 million of that funding will be invested next year.
