Bridgwater & Taunton College (BTC) has played a pivotal role in securing a significant investment for the Devon and Somerset region to address local shortfalls in skills demand, facilitated through the Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF).
The Devon and Somerset Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), spearheaded by the regions Chambers of Commerce, conducted a thorough regional review, pinpointing key sector priority areas of energy, engineering, and digital skills as top priorities from employers. The LSIF allocation is a direct response to these identified needs.
As the lead applicant for Devon and Somerset BTC has obtained £1.9million of funding to be implemented through projects in Somerset in partnership with Strode College and Yeovil College.
The allocated funding will enable BTC to initiate four innovative projects across all three priority sector areas. These initiatives will serve as pivotal communication tools, fostering dialogue within the industry to assess existing skills, identify gaps, and anticipate future skill requirements that may not yet be evident.
BTC will implement these projects through innovative approaches to technology and industry engagement, two focus areas being Clean Propulsion and Digital for All.
Clean Propulsion will introduce alternative fuels into our current curriculum with a focus on Agriculture and sustainable transportation. This project intends to take guidance from leading experts and provide readily available access to this knowledge.
The Digital for All project focuses on embracing digital skills and technologies across all sectors, demonstrating the opportunity for digital in non-traditionally digital fields. An element of this project will see our learners with accessibility requirements and SEND demonstrating to employers how they can make their industries more inclusive through technology.
The essence of these projects lies in knowledge exchange and sparking meaningful discussions that pave the way for the development of future skills. They are not just about implementing solutions but about creating an environment where listening and learning from each other take precedence. The role of BTC in this context is to facilitate these vital conversations, enabling employers to share best practices and influence one another in a dynamic, ever-changing landscape.
Through this approach, BTC is committed to playing a more listening responsive role, prioritising the voices and insights of employers. Findings from these discussions will then be shared with the local community, to encourage collaborative working and prepare for the workforce demands of the future.
August 2024
BTC is leading the Somerset response to the LSIP, collaborating with Strode College, Yeovil College, and the Dorset & Somerset Training Provider Network. As project lead, BTC ensures that all project work aligns with LSIP priorities and that all partners achieve the project’s key outputs and utilise the allocated budget in line with the funding agreement. Through regular partner meetings and reports to the Department for Education, BTC maintains accountability and encourages collaboration, driving efficiencies and ensuring the LSIF funding is used effectively across the county.
Priority sectors identified in the LSIP include digital, energy, and advanced engineering, along with cross-cutting themes such as employer influence, employer co-delivery, modular content, and employability skills. You can read more about BTCs projects in its dedicated LSIP blogs and here are some examples from our Somerset partners.
Yeovil College has utilised its funding to implement an augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality strategy across all curriculum areas, addressing the digital priority sector. Additional investments have been made in advanced engineering, with the purchase of industry standard equipment to enhance their engineering workshop. Purchases have been guided through employer feedback to ensure that students gain relevant skills.
Strode College has focused on digital literacy and enhancing its curriculum with digital investments. This includes improving students’ digital skills to boost employability across various industries through digital learning labs. They have bought advanced gaming PCs and servers and continue to develop their immersive learning spaces. Staff have benefited from CPD opportunities that have been made available. Strode has also engaged with an advisory board of employers to understand future skill requirements.
All Somerset partners have collaborated with Somerset and Devon LSIF partners to share information and research before making significant investments, strengthening the collaboration across the Heart of the South West region.
