Local students, employers, and community members can find out more about the Cheshire & Warrington Institute of Technology (CWIoT) and its innovative programmes this week, following the launch of its new website (www.cwiot.ac.uk).

Specialising in Higher Technical Education and training in advanced engineering and manufacturing, agriculture, construction, and life sciences, the CWIoT aims to provide businesses with a skilled workforce and help more local people secure well-paid jobs close to home.

The CWIoT is one of 21 Institutes of Technology nationwide, benefiting from £15 million of Government funding to help tackle the local skills gap and provide a much-needed boost to the local economy.

John Simpson, Director of CWIoT, said, “The Cheshire & Warrington IoT will play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of skilled professionals. Our focus on industry-aligned education and state-of-the-art facilities will ensure that our students are ready to meet the demands of the modern workforce.”

Led by Cheshire College South & West, CWIoT’s education partners include Macclesfield College, Reaseheath College, Warrington & Vale Royal College, and the University of Chester. Its employer partners include Encirc360, Warrington and Halton NHS Trust, Alderley Park, JCB, and Mid Cheshire NHS Trust.

Local industry partners have expressed their enthusiasm for the CWIoT and its potential impact on the region’s workforce and economy.

Sarah Abernethy, Talent Projects Specialist at Encirc360, commented, “Being involved in the Cheshire & Warrington IoT provides an opportunity for us as a local employer to engage with our community and young people. The IoT provides a gateway to access and develop world-class technical skills that will feature heavily in the future skills market, enabling genuine employment opportunities. Our commitment to supporting the IoT through work-based education activities aligns well with our focus on future skills and opportunities in a Net Zero world.”

Dr. Kath Mackay, Chief Scientific Officer & Director of Alderley Park, added ‘I’m thrilled that Alderley Park is supporting Cheshire and Warrington Institute of Technology. Connecting the companies based at the Park with the right skills and talent is imperative to creating and retaining jobs in the region.”

She added, “With over 4,500 people now working at Alderley Park, I’m excited to be supporting the next generation of innovators and providing a platform into science and technology careers for our learners.”

Lucy Gardner, Director of Strategy and Partnerships at Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, addressed the initiative’s importance in driving recruitment. “There are national challenges to recruitment and retention in healthcare, including roles with technical education and training,” she said. “The Institute of Technology will enable us, in partnership with our local colleges, to train local people for local jobs, supporting recruitment to vital healthcare roles to support us to continue to provide high quality healthcare services, long into the future, to our local populations.”

Dhesi, Principal and CEO at Cheshire College commented: “We are incredibly excited to be the lead College for this project. We aim to provide learners with the skills, experience and qualifications needed to succeed, and we are committed to working with businesses and our local communities to help ensure we are supporting our learners to take up the high-quality, high-skilled jobs needed today and in the future.

“This is just one initiative that will enable the local economy to recover from the impact of the pandemic and get back on track to achieve ambitious development within the Cheshire and Warrington region. I am delighted that Cheshire College is able to play a vital role in creating vibrant opportunities for the community.”

For more information and to get involved, please visit www.cwiot.ac.uk.

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Cheshire & Warrington Institute of Technology (CWIoT)

The Cheshire & Warrington Institute of Technology (CWIoT) is an exciting partnership between local education providers and leading employers, delivering the very best in technical education.

With courses designed by local and national employers, we provide high-quality training and qualifications in vital sectors, such as agriculture, computing, construction, engineering, energy, healthcare, manufacturing, and transport.

Led by Cheshire College South & West, our education partners include Macclesfield College, Reaseheath College, Warrington & Vale Royal College and the University of Chester. Our employer partners include Encirc, Warrington and Halton NHS Trust, Alderley Park, JCB and Mid Cheshire NHS Trust.

Backed by a £15 million government investment, Cheshire & Warrington Institute of Technology (CWIoT) is one of 21 Institutes of Technology (IoTs) located across England.  With a commitment to driving economic growth, the Cheshire & Warrington Institute of Technology (CWIoT) is working together to upskill the region’s future workforce.