Leicestershire Institute of Technology (IoT) in Space, Digital, Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering’s plans to create a £13 million skills factory in Leicester to revitalise the region’s economy has taken a step forward. The goal of this bid is to help plug the skills gap in the region and help the area recover from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The joint bid has taken a step forward after the Department for Education (DfE) chose it to go through to the next round of applications for one of eight new IoTs in the UK.

“All of us at the University of Leicester are very excited to see this joint bid progress to the final stage for Government funding. To reach this stage not only demonstrates the university’s long track record in space science and research, but our commitment to providing skills-based opportunities in Leicester and the surrounding region. We look forward to continuing this collaboration with our education and industry partners as we seek to provide further opportunities in our city,” commented Professor Nishan Canagarajah, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Leicester.

The bid is centred on the themes of space, advanced manufacturing and digital skills and intends to offer training opportunities for local people, help employers to meet skills needs, create jobs, and boost growth and productivity in the local economy.

“To win this bid would mean being able to really use the training expertise we have at DMU as a regional leader in apprenticeship delivery to bolster the development of crucial digital skills throughout the region,” added Professor Katie Normington, vice-chancellor of De Montfort University. “By working with Leicestershire education partners, we will be able to provide a comprehensive, ideal range of experience to ensure this IoT is a catalyst for economic growth and innovation into the future.”

It is being backed by delivery partners at the University of Leicester, De Montfort University Leicester (DMU), Leicester College, The SMB Group (Stephenson College & Brooksby Melton College), North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College, the National Space Centre and employers including Airbus, Reaction Engines and WSP Engineering.