Harlow College has officially opened its brand-new Institute of Technology (IoT) with a grand opening celebration on 9 Feb, which also marked the culmination of National Apprenticeship Week.

The Institute, which is part of the South East Institute of Technology (SEIoT), is a close partnership between high-performing further education colleges, universities and employers, helping to ensure that the higher-level courses delivered are based on what the economy and local communities need, ensuring learners have the best possible career prospects.

Among the state-of-the-art facilities are a Lucas Nuelle Lab, Digi-Lab, new Science Lab and an Immersive Room with VR headsets where learners can join classes remotely, allowing them to interact with trainees at the college’s partner, Stansted Airport College.  

The grand opening was attended by key industry, community and local government figures who were treated to a tour of the facility, witnessing the cutting-edge premises and equipment.

The official plaque unveiling ceremony was carried out by Robert Halfon, MP for Harlow and Minister for State (Education). He said: “It’s wonderful to have my hometown at the forefront of our skills agenda. Institutes of Technology bring together a critical mass of talent and expertise to extend a ladder of opportunity to people in a local area, no matter what their ambitions.

“It’s been fantastic to open our latest IoT at Harlow College during National Apprenticeship Week, which is a collaboration between businesses, colleges and universities to give the area the skills it needs and help us build a skills and apprenticeships nation.

“We’re opening 21 IoTs across England, with 19 already open, representing a multimillion pound investment in skills which I’m proud to be making.”

Jayne Sheehan, South East IoT lead partner said “This is the third partner college to open their IoT facility which further enhances the collaboration of the partner colleges within the South East Institute of Technology. We are very excited to be working alongside Harlow College to offer the opportunity to continue to offer higher qualifications that are needed for the workforce of tomorrow.”

Karen Spencer, Principal and CEO of Harlow College, spoke enthusiastically about the new IoT. “We are delighted to be part of the South East IoT and work with partners across our region to support skills, growth and employment in technical disciplines. From immersive spaces, to labs, engineering technologies and healthcare Virtual Reality our IoT means we have access to state-of-the-art resources to develop our students for a changing future.”

Find out more about IoT here

Main Photo: Robert Halfon, Minister of State for Education (seated) with Councillor Dan Swords (Leader of Harlow Council), members of the IOT Project Group, Karen Spencer, Principal of Harlow College and college students and staff.