BUSINESS NEWS
Swindon & Wiltshire Institute of Technology has officially launched
Swindon to bid for city status
The Swindon and Wiltshire Institute of Technology ( SaWIoT ) officially launched on 8th July as part of the National Launch of the Institutes of Technology ( IOTs ).
Swindon is to bid for City Status in a competition for towns to become cities to mark the Queen ’ s Platinum Jubilee .
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Swindon Conservatives are leading the application which asks for a one-page summary of the town and supporting information covering its distinct identity , civic pride , cultural infrastructure , record of innovation , vibrant and welcoming community , associations with royalty and other particularly distinctive features such as age , residents or communities who have made widely recognised significant contributions to society and cultural infrastructure .
The criteria also requests statistics on the profile of the area , including economic activity and green spaces .
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" We should all be ambitious for our town , be proud of where we live and a City of Swindon bid will be great for raising Swindon ' s profile and help to tackle any negative perceptions .”
Cllr Dale Heenan , cabinet member for regeneration , culture and heritage , said , " We should all be ambitious for our town , be proud of where we live and a City of Swindon bid will be great for raising Swindon ' s profile and help to tackle any negative perceptions .
" We are serious about this bid and are determined to make Swindon ' s case in a way never done before . The Conservatives believe that our best chance of success is to work with local businesses , local community groups and local residents .
" We have to be honest , no-one is going to think differently about Swindon because we are a town one day , and a city the next . Yet there are so many ways that this competition can be used to promote and be positive about Swindon , and we intend to do our best to maximise these opportunities .
" We are all too familiar with a small minority who like to moan about Swindon and this bid can help tackle this issue head on . Let ' s all find ways to be positive about everything that Swindon has to offer ."
The competition will close on 8th December and " all valid entries will receive individual consideration on their merits , before recommendations are made to the Queen by ministers ."
This is not the first time Swindon has applied for city status . Two previous bids have failed . One was in 1999 to mark the Millennium and the other in 2002 for the Queen ’ s Golden Jubilee .
IOTs are an employer led initiative delivering Higher Level Skills training in STEM ( science , technology , engineering and mathematics ) in an innovative learning space with industry level teaching and facilities .
With science and technology playing a significant role in the future success of the UK and its economy , the high-quality learning space and facilities at the SaWIoT will bring benefits to students , employers and the wider community – helping meet future skills needs .
Collaborations between regional and national employers have shaped the higher-level technical courses available . From apprenticeships to degree level courses in association with its partners the University of Gloucestershire and Oxford Brookes University , the SaWIoT will develop skills and drive ambition for students , those already in employment or those wishing to retrain .
Courses will be at the forefront of science , technology , creativity and engineering with a focus on innovation – creating the innovators and visionaries of the future .
Chris Baish , Managing Director of the SaWIoT said , “ This is a big deal in terms of creating opportunities for students and employers in Swindon , Wiltshire and the surrounding areas ”.
“ The site at the North Star campus is undergoing a major refurbishment as we speak , bringing it
right up to date with industry-standard facilities including cyber labs and media suites that have been developed with our employer and university partners .
“ The IoT will be a huge benefit to Swindon and the region with this employer-led facility as it responds to business needs , identifying current skills gaps and supporting future developments in a region where significant growth is expected in technology-based sectors .”
He added , “ In the meantime , we ’ re keen to hear from businesses in the area that are looking to recruit new starters or upskill existing staff across a range of technical areas and apprenticeships , including digital , cyber-security , engineering , creative media and health and science . Demand for the higher-level skills offered at the SaWIoT is growing rapidly , so contact us sooner rather than later to discuss your requirements .”
Businesses interested in expanding their employees ’ development and expertise through the Swindon and Wiltshire Institute of Technology can contact the Business Development Manager Caroline Maycock on tel : 01793 611470 or by email : Caroline . Maycock @ newcollege . ac . uk
To view the new programmes being offered or to enquire about joining one of the courses , visit : www . sawiot @ swindon . ac . uk Or for more advice email : Iot @ newcollege . ac . uk
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