The Department for Education has today (10 April) announced that one of the first 12 Institutes of Technology across the country, will be in Swindon following a successful bid by Swindon College and partners. The IOT project is likely to be completed in 2021 and will see a total investment of £21 million into Swindon. The capital investment will lead to a significant upgrade at the North Star site in Swindon and also at Cirencester College.

The focus of the Institute of Technology is level 4+ technical qualifications with engineering included along with aspects of digital technology and life sciences.  The Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership's Director Paddy Bradley will continue as Chair of the Steering Group for the project.

Responding to the Government's announcement, the SWLEP's Chairman John Mortimer said:

 “Enabling businesses to have appropriately skilled and competitive workforces to support growth, innovation and creativity remains an investment priority for the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (SWLEP). I am delighted that Swindon College’s bid for an Institute of Technology has been successful. The central government investment of £17m, and the support of so many of our local businesses, is a particularly welcome boost to Swindon’s economy. The SWLEP looks forward to continuing our work with Swindon College, the anchor employers and partners to support the implementation of this project over the coming months.”