By Julie King, Head of Science and Access to Higher Education at North Hertfordshire College
In recent years, we’ve all been impacted by changes to the UK’s economic landscape. From the COVID-19 pandemic to recent changes in HM Government, there’s a number of factors that have influenced fiscal growth.
In response, the current government have pledged to kickstart economic growth as one of their five key missions which inform policy making and funding decisions. The Association of Colleges have since highlighted how delivery of this mission will rely on the work of education institutions and calls for increased funding to the further education sector to support this.
During my time at North Hertfordshire College, I’ve seen first-hand how the College invests in economic growth across Hertfordshire, specifically within the county’s growing STEM sector. Through the building of new facilities, investment in industry-standard equipment and technologies, and the employer collaborations running through these developments and within our programmes themselves, we have begun taking significant steps towards supporting the economic growth of the country.
In 2023, we opened the Stevenage Innovation and Technology Centre (SITEC) at our main campus. The project aimed to capitalise on Stevenage’s position in the Golden Triangle of Research and Development between Oxford, Cambridge and London. Through collaboration with industry partners like UCL Vax Hub, Autolus, and Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, North Hertfordshire College invested in a simulated life sciences laboratory, immersive technology space, digital training suites, and virtual reality training capabilities.
Students gain confidence operating industry-standard equipment included within the SITEC facilities before progressing on to employment, too, giving them a distinct edge when it comes to securing employment.
The launch of SITEC supported a wider project to introduce new qualifications in these key growth areas. Alongside the BTEC courses and T Level in Laboratory Science, we’ve worked with our employer partners to design a laboratory technician apprenticeship aligned with the current and projected needs of the science sector.
The level three programme provides learners with an alternative route into STEM employment aside from the traditional A Level pathway. Current learners have commented on the increased level of independence at college compared to sixth form and have found that focusing on just one subject has allowed them to develop a more profound understanding of core subjects.
Through a combination of teaching delivered from our SITEC facilities and incredibly valuable work placements with local science employers, our laboratory technician apprentices finish their programme equipped with the specific skills, knowledge, and experience needed to join Hertfordshire’s growing science workforce and, as a result, contribute to kickstarting economic growth within the county.
In my opinion, collaboration with employers is absolutely crucial when it comes to supporting economic growth. These insights into industry needs have ensured North Hertfordshire College invests in the right facilities and equipment to maximise the learning experience of the future workforce. In addition, apprenticeships simply would not be possible without the valuable employer placements required for the career-focused qualifications.
Our partner STEM employers have helped us tailor both our learning environments and curriculum delivery to the specific needs of the current and future sector, helping us generate experienced, and skilled employees, prepared to excel and contribute to stimulating economic growth within the thriving STEM sector.
North Hertfordshire College’s commitment to supporting Hertfordshire’s economic growth is demonstrated through our students’ positive destinations. Our science learners have progressed on to employment within renowned organisations like AstraZeneca, and local employers like Autolus and GSK.
Addressing the governments key missions is a priority for all further education establishments, and an action we have been taking for a number of years. Through our industry collaborations, new technologies, and facility developments, we’re already seeing results in our STEM programmes that will have a lasting impact on economic growth in the sector and beyond.