Keele-backed Institute of Technology welcomes first student cohort
The brand-new Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Institute of Technology (IoT) backed by Keele University has officially opened its doors, welcoming its first intake of learners as they begin their Higher Education journey.
Led by the Ofsted Outstanding Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG), the £22.5 million development will deliver high-quality technical skills training in priority sectors, including advanced engineering and manufacturing, modern methods of construction, digital technologies and health sciences.
Keele is the higher education partner on the project, which is built on a foundation of strong collaboration between leading education providers from across Staffordshire, which also includes Burton and South Derbyshire College, Axia Solutions, South Staffordshire College and Stoke-on-Trent College.
The new three-storey building features state-of-the-art facilities and industry-standard equipment, including a VR/AR immersive space, a mock hospital ward, testing laboratories, robotics and automation equipment, as well as an advanced manufacturing learning factory. Learners will also benefit from conference rooms, a lecture theatre, a bistro and a range of immersive teaching spaces.
Supporting the development are a number of employer partners, including Dell, MOOG, Siemens and Hitachi. Their investment has already provided £500,000 worth of equipment and resources, such as two demonstration robots from KUKA, two collaborative robots from Siemens and a transformer donated by Hitachi Energy. In addition, industrial and logistics specialist Indurent is developing digital tools to bring real-life projects into the classroom, further enriching the learning experience for students.
Professor Mark Ormerod OBE, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost at Keele University, said: “Keele University is proud to be the Higher Education partner in the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Institute of Technology working closely with partner Colleges across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, as well as core industry partners, including Dell, Hitachi Energy, Siemens, Indurent and MOOG.
“We have already established a number of Level 6 progression routes for learners from the IoT and local Colleges in computing, business and management, finance and management and medical sciences, and look forward to introducing more Level 6 progression routes, enabling IoT learners to progress on to complete full undergraduate degrees, and subsequently have the opportunity to progress to a wide range of postgraduate Masters degrees across these areas."
Georgina Barnard, Vice Principal – IoT, said: “Welcoming our first learners to the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Institute of Technology is an incredibly proud moment. This landmark development represents a unique collaboration between education and industry, ensuring that learners across our region have access to world-class facilities, cutting-edge technology and the specialist training needed to thrive in high-demand sectors. By working hand-in-hand with employers, we are not only creating pathways into skilled careers but also supporting businesses with the talent they need to drive innovation and growth.”
With pathways including short courses, higher apprenticeships and degree-level programmes, the IoT provides opportunities for those taking their first steps into employment, looking to advance in the workplace or successfully retrain in a new field.
