South West Institute of Technology (SWIOT)

As a partner within SWIOT, Bridgwater & Taunton College is home to the Welding Centre of Excellence.  Following the SWIOT’s investment of nearly one million pounds, the WCoE will house facilities for high integrity welding and control and instrumentation training.

Due to open in September 2020 the SWIOT is a unique collaboration between a number of partner organisations, including the University of Exeter, University of Plymouth, Bridgwater & Taunton College, City College Plymouth, Exeter College, Petroc and Truro & Penwith College, each investing in the development of state-of-the-art facilities for training in technical subjects to create Britain’s next generation of highly skilled technicians and engineers. SWIOT will operate as virtual college, specialising in technical training and development for the South West. The SWIOT will specialise in delivering higher technical education with a focus on technical (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects, such as engineering, digital and construction.

Weldability Sif

Weldability Sif have been a key partner for the WCoE, supporting the design of the new facility and the curriculum required to develop a truly responsive offer.  They also manufactured, installed and support the welding, safety and fume-extraction equipment used in the new centre.

Working in partnership with the Weldability Sif Foundation, who invested over £200,000 in the WCoE, they have added their expertise to understand and develop the response to the specific technical skills needs required to provide employers with a skilled workforce and students with a clear route to technical employment.  Students at the centre will use the latest digital training tools to increase achievement and improve learner-engagement, including virtual welding and e-learning.

Heart of the South West (HotSW) Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)

The HotSW LEP has recognised the skills gap in welding and technical training.  In response, the HotSW LEP has supported the growth in capacity to deliver critical technical skills for the region’s digital and engineering sectors.  As well as creating new opportunities for additional growth, better jobs and stretching prosperity across our community, the WCoE and its training hubs will enable companies based in the South West to develop the skills they need to compete and grow in a global market, making the South West more attractive to inward investors.

Hinkley Point C

Hinkley Point C is working hard to ensure the project benefits people in the South West and beyond. The benefits of HPC range from increasing local employment, creating outstanding new careers in sectors that have seen significant skills and workforce shortages in the past, the development of a sustainable regional supply chain and have been the catalyst for the advancement of new training facilities and qualifications.  Working with the HotSW LEP   and Bridgwater & Taunton College together they have identified a skills gap in the supply chain demand and are working closely to develop, support and standardise the supply of high quality welders within the region to not only support HPC but to ensure a legacy of a highly skilled workforce which will be attractive to inward investors to the region.