EPNE hosts Skills Scoping visit to drive economic growth

Education Partnership North East (EPNE) recently hosted a high-profile Skills Scoping visit and roundtable at Sunderland College.

The event was organised by the North East Combined Authority (NECA) and brought together leading figures from government, education, global manufacturing, and local authorities.

Chaired by NECA’s Head of Skills for Business, Michelle Rainbow, the Skills Scoping visit was focussed on learning more about the skills challenges, solutions and current practices to support industry and business to drive economic growth in the UK.

Key attendees included representatives from the Department for Education and Shadow Skills England, the Department for Business and Trade and the Office for Investment, the North East Combined Authority and Sunderland City Council.

Delegates from Nissan UK, AESC and Jatco UK – which recently announced plans to open a new £50 million site in Sunderland – also joined the discussion at Sunderland College’s City Campus which featured insights on inward investment across the NECA with a focus on the automotive and manufacturing, screen, financial and customer service industries.

With skills delivery spanning across the region, EPNE also showcased exemplars of the group’s strategic partnerships with employers which are shaping and enhancing workforce strategies with and for industry.

Spotlighting the Housing Innovation and Construction Skills Academy (HICSA), a regional industry skills gateway backed by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, attendees heard how the collaboration between Sunderland College, Sunderland City Council, Gentoo, Northumbria University, Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust and industry partners, is a pioneering facility at the forefront of the North East’s built environment.

Scheduled to open this summer, HICSA will not only train local people in housebuilding, civil construction and renewables, it will also create a talent pipeline for business and investment such as for Crown Works Studios by producing the next generation of set designers, carpenters, plasterers, riggers, electricians, and construction coordinators.

A Q&A session also highlighted the government’s crucial role in supporting technical and academic skills development.

Ellen Thinnesen, chief executive of EPNE, said: “On behalf of the North East Combined Authority we are thrilled to host this visit and round table.

“Exploring policy barriers and providing examples of pioneering skills strategies, we were able to provide examples of how skills strategies and solutions can be co-created and coordinated to support inward investment and the UK economy.”

Following the roundtable, delegates were given a tour of Sunderland College’s City Campus’ outstanding engineering facilities and Immersive Suite – which left a lasting impression on the delegates and demonstrated the college’s commitment to digitisation, automation and first-class best teaching and learning environments for its students.

The event concluded with a networking session, allowing attendees to further discuss potential collaborations and initiatives to enhance skills and education in the region.