A look back at our Local Skills Improvement Fund Site Visits

The Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) team recently visited several colleges across Gloucestershire to see the impressive facilities funded by the Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF) and the Skills Development Fund (SDF).  

Over the course of a few weeks, the team were welcomed by colleagues at Cirencester College, South Gloucestershire and Stroud College, Hartpury University and Hartpury College and Gloucestershire College to have guided tours of the new and improved learning spaces. 

These site visits enabled us to experience the new facilities first-hand whilst hearing directly from education providers about how the investments have helped students to stay up to date with the latest technology being used in different industries and keep a finger on the pulse of important transferrable skills. 

Below is an overview of our visits, plus some pictures of the brilliant facilities and equipment that has been invested in. 

Cirencester College 

Cirencester College has invested in a range of sustainable technology, including new solar panels and a wind turbine. Matt Reynolds, Principal and CEO, and Jane Fern, Strategic Development Manager, spoke about how students use the technology to learn more about sustainable practices in working life. 

A unique tiny house facility has also been built, designed for construction workers to gain hands-on experience. We viewed a video of students discussing how they work on the facility and what benefit it brings to their education.  

We were shown the computer lab, with computers specifically designed for learners to practice potential real-life situations that they could face working in a digital career. The computers are built with features designed to withhold bugs and errors so that students can practice important problem-solving skills to help them in future careers. 

Lastly, we had a tour of the state-of-the-art facilities in the construction computer lab where specialised software allows students to build replicas of buildings, construct, and plan with a real-world view of the outcome. Students took time out of their learning to show our team how the software works and give us a virtual tour of the college in digital form! The LSIF funding has not only provided the essential construction software to build excellent skills, but they have high-tech gadgets to aid learning such as a drone and a virtual reality headset.

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College 

 At SGS College, we toured the eco-pods. These have been created for Special Educational Needs learners, providing a safe space for them to learn.  

We also visited the eco-pods which were expanded to house facilities for the apprenticeship construction learners. The fully equipped facilities had a variety of tools, workspaces and practice environments which help prepare learners on their pathway to work in construction.  

Hartpury University and Hartpury College. 

At Hartpury University and Hartpury College, we had a fascinating tour of the agriculture facilities funded by the LSIF.  

We were delighted to be greeted with a team of students ready to teach us how to use their state-of-the-art tractor and combine harvester simulator, which gives students the essential experience of practicing with expensive pieces of machinery.  

We were also shown the incredible technology that Hartpury has to help take care of livestock. The equipment can report back specific details on the animals which in turn helps learners understand the best way to take care of them. 

Gloucestershire College – Gloucester and Cheltenham Campuses 

At Gloucestershire College, Vice Principal of Curriculum and Quality, Karen Morris, took us on a tour of the construction facilities. The LSIF meant they could meet the need for more space for construction learners and they were able to expand their facilities.  

We saw a huge construction room with various fake rooms created for students to get realistic experience in tiling, bricklaying, electrics or plumbing. These facilities allow the students to practice in a safe environment whilst being monitored and guided by their teachers.  

In September, Cheltenham campus opened the new Sustainable Construction Centre which was fitted out with everything students need to practice carpentry, plumping, electrical work and groundworks, whilst keeping an emphasis on green skills in the industry.  

The building is powered by heat pumps and solar panels with impressive facilities for the students including a JCB digger, power tools, circuit boards and construction equipment. This ensures that students are empowered to work in environments that are akin to the day-to-day of that career. The team even met some enthusiastic students who were keen to show what they had learnt. It is clear that they have benefited from the new facilities that elevate their education.  

The LSIP team really enjoyed visiting the various colleges, speaking to students and testing out some hi-tech equipment to get a feel of the tangible benefit that the LSIF and SDF funding provides to the future generations.  

Our Research Manager, Hannah Ponsford, says about the visits:

“It was wonderful to visit the Colleges in the Gloucestershire area and see first-hand the incredible new buildings, equipment and resources that have been funded by the Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF). Speaking to the staff and students, it was really inspiring to see the ongoing impact that this funding, and the LSIP, has had.” 

These visits highlight the essential work that the LSIP projects do in ensuring that education providers know what skills are essential to industry now and in the future, allowing them to make informed decisions on investment opportunities to benefit learner.  

This funding is essential to providing the best future possible for the skills sector and future generations.