Driving growth, opportunity and innovation
Institutes of Technology (IoTs) are collaborations between further education, higher education and industry. Working together, they equip individuals with the advanced technical skills and knowledge they need to succeed in sectors critical to the UK’s future, from clean energy and advanced manufacturing, to digital and healthcare.
Why IoTs matter
IoTs are playing a vital role in addressing England’s long-standing ‘missing middle’ of higher technical education at Levels 4 and 5. By breaking down barriers between institutions they also present a more co-ordinated offer to learners and employers, helping them more easily access education and training for higher-level technical careers.
Supported by significant capital investment from government, IoTs are equipped with industry-standard facilities and technologies, and continue to grow with support from employers and local authorities.
Our support for IoTs
Gatsby believes that IoTs are essential to transforming England’s technical education landscape. We support IoTs because they:
- Deliver high-quality Higher Technical Education at Levels 4 and 5, with clear progression pathways from Level 3 and beyond;
- Address regional and national skills needs through specialised technical training aligned to industry priorities;
- Foster collaboration across further education, higher education and employers to ensure curriculum meets regional and national skills needs;
- Drive innovation, productivity and economic growth through workforce development;
- Champion accessible and inclusive higher education as established centres of technical excellence.
IoT support in action
Gatsby has played an instrumental role in the development and sustained success of IoTs across England. This includes:
Providing co-ordination support for the national network of IoTs and the IoT Executive.
Creating and maintaining the Institutes of Technology website and funding communications activities during the setup phase.
Enabling IoT Leads to exchange ideas and expertise with peers, national stakeholders and international counterparts..
Now more than ever, the IoT model is essential to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and supports a thriving, resilient economy.
- Rosa Wells, Chair of The National Network of Institutes of Technology
Reports & publications
Where Next? Who Applies to Level 4 and 5 Qualifications
A report exploring the motivation and experiences of people who apply to Level 4 and 5 courses (SCQF Level 7 and 8 in Scotland) through UCAS.
Author(s)
UCAS
Youth Unemployment: Lessons to Learn
A report into the size and profile of the careers adviser workforce currently working in English schools and colleges. Gatsby asked Charlynne Pullen to explore what lessons, if any, could be learned from policies that were developed to tackle youth unemployment during previous economic shocks.
Author(s)
Charlynne Pullen
Building our Industrial Strategy
Gatsby’s response to the UK Government’s 2017 Industrial Strategy Green Paper, urging stronger investment in technical education, better funding for skills training and action to address technician shortages.
Author(s)
The Gatsby Foundation
