New institute of technology to boost South Yorkshire’s skills pipeline
Earlier this month, the AMRC Training Centre kickstarted the delivery of the South Yorkshire Institute of Technology (SYIoT) with a Siemens Connected Curriculum showcase for learners, trainers and IoT partners.
The SYIoT is a groundbreaking collaboration between educators and employers across the region dedicated to addressing critical skills gaps in the region by delivering higher-level technical education.
The University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre has used its SYIoT funding to enhance its offerings, ensuring apprentices are well-prepared for the evolving industry standards. This includes development of three dedicated teaching suites with high-performance equipment, an enhanced augmented and virtual reality system, PLCs and adoption of Siemens' Connected Curriculum.
Showcasing one of these offerings, the Siemens Connected Technologies team demonstrated cutting-edge technologies during an interactive, hands-on session held at the AMRC Training Centre facility.
Steve Jones, Connected Curriculum Lead at Siemens, said: “We’re delighted to be part of this initiative and work with talented students. The AMRC Training Centre is a fantastic partner, and we’re committed to supporting their efforts to develop the next generation of skilled workers.”
AMRC Training Centre apprentices from various companies, including Sheffield Forgemasters and Coca-Cola, attended the event and shared their excitement about the new opportunities offered under the SYIoT, calling it an ‘eye opener’ and a chance to ‘see the real industry’.
Talking about the event, an apprentice said: “I thought it was interesting. It good to see how workshops could be simulated and how you can test run before and actually get hands-on experience that can be utilised in future”
Another apprentice added: “I think today's gone really well. I've learned stuff that I wouldn't particularly learn in my own job. So it's nice to learn what else is out there. At my work, we're trying to digitise everything, so I think this is really useful for actually gaining that knowledge and understanding what's actually happening behind the scenes at work.”
Backed by more than £15 million in funding from the Department for Education (DfE), the SYIoT is made up of FE and HE partners in the region and supported by core employers: HLM Architects, AESSEAL and Pendo.
Karen Mosley, Chair and Core Employer Partner from HLM Architects, said: “The SYIoT embodies the power of collaboration by sharing the very latest equipment, resources, knowledge and facilities across our region. We hope to see every learner, business and partner get access to what they need to thrive, regardless of their location.
“At the event hosted by the AMRC Training Centre, I saw first hand how the SYIoT is more than just an initiative, it’s a movement that unites us all to work innovatively together to close the skills gap and open up further opportunities for everyone.”
Joe Drymond, member of the SYIoT board from Pendo, added: “The AMRC Training Centre is a standout example of how education and industry can work together to address skills shortages.
“During the session, I spoke to apprentices from a range of businesses and how they were learning how to use a software that will help them optimise their own experience, getting a hands-on application of a software that people use in industry to help them optimise their own experience. It’s inspiring to see the impact this initiative will have on the future of South Yorkshire.”
Nikki Jones, Director of the University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre, concluded: “It was fantastic to see our students, employers and partners so passionately engage with the session led by the Siemens Connected Technologies team. The technology we're investing in now will allow our students to tap into what's going on in the real-world industry. It will make a true difference.
“The curriculum driven by our core employer partners is also very special. It’s not about duplication, but about shared resources. It’s about bringing institutions and employers together to deliver skills that our students as well as employers will need for the future.
“The SYIoT is more than just an institution; it’s a catalyst for change. By investing in our students, we’re investing in the future of South Yorkshire.”
Find out more about the AMRC Training Centre’s South Yorkshire IoT courses here.