September 2002
Research and Teaching

New Institute will boost technology skills

Businesses and students in the region will gain access to high quality training in advanced technology skills following the government's backing for a New Technology Institute in West Yorkshire.

The proposal, led by Leeds Metropolitan University and involving Bradford and Leeds universities and a number of further education colleges, will seek to close the advanced technology skills gap at technician level and above.

Left to right: Andy Duley, Head of OLAY at Leeds Metrolpolitan University Pete Rodgers, and Director of City and Regional Policy Development at the University of Leeds Gill Holt.

The University's Business Development Manager, Andy Duley, said: "This initiative aims to enhance information technology skills across West Yorkshire. It will help small businesses, in particular, gain access to the skills they need to develop. It will hopefully make West Yorkshire even more attractive to companies and by providing essential IT skills it will help people from across the region improve their job and career opportunities."

The consortium lined up an impressive range of supporters behind its proposal. Household names such as Microsoft, ASDA, CISCO and British Telecom all gave their backing.

Andy said: "We know that some people are nervous about going into educational institutions, particularly people working in small businesses, and would prefer to study in their local area and in the workplace. The NTI aims to address these issues and provide training which is accessible to these clients."

next

top of page