HCUC - the merged college group for Harrow College and Uxbridge College - is delighted to announce it has been chosen to go forward to the pre-award stage with the Department of Education (DfE) to open one of the country’s first Institute of Technology (IoT) centres.

Working with its anchor partners Brunel University London,  Fujitsu, Heathrow and West London Business, HCUC is among 12 education and training providers nationally to be selected by the DfE in a competitive bidding process.

HCUC will get a share in a £170m capital fund earmarked by government to establish the specialist technical education provision, and the IoTs will promote and deliver education and training provision predominantly at Level 4 and above through a unique alliance between further education, higher education and employers.  

Laraine Smith OBE, Principal and CEO of HCUC, said “It is fantastic news that HCUC and its partners have been successful in this highly competitive process to be among those leading the way in launching the Institute of Technology centres programme. HCUC is delighted to be at the forefront of developing the provision of these essential high level skills, which form part of the broad range of vocational and employment-related education and training supporting the UK to build the skills it needs going forward. We will be working closely with our partners to build relationships with a broad range of employers, to ensure the success of the West London IoT. I’d like to congratulate and thank everyone involved in leading our application through to its successful conclusion.”

Professor Julia Buckingham CBE, Vice-Chancellor and President of Brunel University London, said: “I am delighted that Brunel is part of HCUC’s successful bid, and that we will be working together with our partners to establish an Institute of Technology for people in West London and surrounding areas. Increasing the opportunities for young people and those already in employment to build essential engineering and technology skills – part of the STEM subjects, which have significant skills shortages – will help our local and national economies thrive.”

Ash Merchant,  Education Director for Fujitsu UK&I and Global Subject Matter Expert, said: “We are delighted that HCUC have been successful in their application for the proposed Institute of Technology (IoT). As an Anchor Employer Partner to HCUC we are committed to supporting the vision of creating a strong digital infrastructure, with outstanding curriculum that will support the digital economy for West London and beyond. We look forward to working with HCUC, making their vision come to reality and creating an IoT that will enable individuals to be fit for a digital economy.”

Bally S Grewal, Director of IT Programmes at Heathrow Airport said: “We are proud to be a  partner of the West London Institute of Technology. There is a vital need to bridge the skills gap in the UK, achievable through the provision of top quality training and apprenticeships. This is the latest step we have taken which will ensure future generations are more skilled than ever and we look forward to working in this partnership,  increasing skills in west London and beyond and helping the next generation realise their potential.”

Andrew Dakers, Chief Executive of West London Business, said: “Securing funding to launch the West London Institute of Technology is a huge achievement for the team of partners working with HCUC. Sat at the heart of the UK’s global gateway the IoT will be both a local and national asset that helps ensure we have the talent pipeline to propel West London’s £73bn economy forward filling some significant skills gaps.   We look forward to building the community of employers that will help shape the curriculum, bringing new partners on board as we plan for launch and beyond.”