Brock to receive £400,000 extra government funding under collaborative Institute of Technology initiative

Brockenhurst College has secured a share of £120m in additional government funding to help create a Maritime Engineering and Digital Institute of Technology that will span the Solent region.

The College will receive £400,000 to develop learning and progression opportunities for Level 3 Sixth Form students at its Marchwood Construction and Marine Technologies Training Centre.

This money will be invested in new learning equipment including diesel engines, generators, mills and lathes to help learners prepare for industry progression.

A new Merchant Navy Pre-cadetship course and a Level 3 Marine Engineering course will also be introduced.

The £13m Solent region Institute of Technology project is designed to meet the Solent region’s workforce needs in the maritime, engineering and digital technologies sectors.

It is expected to connect learners across the educational partners through innovative learning opportunities and an employer-led curriculum.

The bid was led by Solent University, which worked closely with lead Further Education partner Fareham College and employers including Associated British Ports and The Royal Navy.

Other partners comprise Eastleigh College, Havant and South Downs College, the Isle of Wight College and the University of Portsmouth.

Institute of Technology centres are expected to be operational at each institution by 2023.

Brockenhurst College Vice Principal, Limor Feingold, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been selected to help create one of the additional nine Institutes of Technology across the country.

“The Solent project will leverage the strong co-operation between Further Education and Higher Education institutions and employers in the region.

“It will also provide important resources to inspire learners and support employers in the key local sectors of Maritime Engineering and Digital Technologies.”