Dudley College is pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew Homer as Innovation Consultant and Catherine Jones as Innovation Technician for Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing as testament to its commitment in supporting innovation and technical excellence within businesses of the Black Country. The services are completely free to all businesses and are designed to increase productivity and help them grow.  

These new roles have been developed through Innovate UK and the Further Education Innovation Fund, with funds distributed to support local FE colleges work with businesses to improve productivity across the region.  Innovate UK is the UK’s innovation agency which helps companies to grow through the development and commercialisation of new products, processes and services.

This project will be bringing five Further Education colleges from across the region together to support SMEs to foster innovation and make efficiencies across the business.

Innovation consultants will be placed in each of the five partner colleges across the Black Country, each specialising in a key area, such as manufacturing, engineering, CNC, automotive and robotics, with Halesowen College leading on digital innovation, including Cyber Security, E-Commerce and Artificial Intelligence.  Other colleges key to this project are, Halesowen College, Walsall College, South Staffordshire College, and City of Wolverhampton. 

Andrew brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the field of innovation. Within his new role, as Innovation Consultant, he will provide local SMEs looking to implement digital projects with free audits, project advice and consultations for local SMEs looking to improve efficiency within their companies.

Catherine has worked across many industries, specialising in modern manufacturing techniques and will support Andrew in supporting local SMEs aiming to boost within their companies.

Neil Thomas, Principal and Chief Executive said “We are thrilled to appoint Andrew as our Innovation Consultant and Catherine as our Innovation Technician. Their passion for driving innovation and supporting local businesses will be instrumental in helping SMEs thrive in today’s advanced engineering and manufacturing landscape.” 

Commenting on his new role, Andrew said “I am looking forward to sharing my experience and extensive knowledge in advanced engineering and manufacturing with local and regional SMEs. The goal of this project is to help businesses develop innovative practices utilising emerging technologies.”  

Echoing Andrew’s sentiments, Catherine commented: “I am really excited to start this role, I am eager to apply my experience and skills and to support local SMEs.”

For more information contact  

Andrew Homer

Mobile: 07436950432

Email address: andrew.homer@dudleycol.ac.uk

Following a safety campaign to get more lifesaving equipment installed across Dudley borough, a new publicly accessible cabinet housing a bleed control kit has been installed at Dudley College’s Evolve Campus. 

The public safety campaign launched by Dudley Councillor Keiran Casey, is part of activity funded by The Daniel Baird Foundation who have donated equipment designed to provide bystanders with the means to stop life-threatening bleeding, until medical professionals arrive. 

The Daniel Baird Foundation is a national charity working to increase easy access to the right equipment vital to providing the necessary first aid so that the public can stop life-threatening blood loss in an emergency. The organisation’s founder, Lynne Baird has worked tirelessly with her family, to see the kits rolled out across the West Midlands, after her son, Daniel was fatally stabbed on a night out in Birmingham. 

Speaking about the new installation, Keiran said: 

“I am delighted that Dudley College has been able to join other organisations; such as the Black Country Living Museum and the Priory Community Centre & Boxing Club – by installing a bleed kit in a prominent place with lots of public footfall.  

I feel confident that the more cabinets we call install around the borough, the more chance we have of saving lives, in emergency situations such as everyday accidents as well as acts of violence.  

I would like to thank Lynne and the fundraising supporters of the Daniel Baird Foundation for the donation of the kit and the ongoing work in promoting education of the public in basic life support. Here in Dudley Borough, we are keen to keep the memory of Daniel alive through this work, and I urge residents to get involved in any way they can.”   

This newest bleed control kit is situated on Dudley College’s Evolve Building at Tower Street, next to the temporary bus stations and can be opened by calling 999 and following instructions from the operator. 

Today, the Black Country and Marches Institute of Technology (BCMIoT) was host to Sir Keir Starmer, KCB KC Labour Leader,  and Angela Rayner Deputy Leader as they visited the West Midlands to endorse the candidature of Richard Parker for West Midlands Mayor.

Taking time to talk to students at the BCMIoT, Sir Keir, spoke about his hopes for the 2^nd May Mayoral elections and for the forthcoming general election. During his speech he outlined five national missions including higher growth by boosting investment in infrastructure, and a new plan for boosting technical excellence colleges.

Alongside Sir Keir, Angela Rayner spoke about her own aspirations for the region in terms of revitalising the manufacturing sector, to deliver greater prosperity.

During the visit to the Institute of Technology the theme of skills was a recurrent one, with Labour pledging to invest heavily in adult skills that would support those out of work re-enter the workplace. And acknowledging a mental health crisis amongst young people there was also a pledge to provide more mental health support in schools, to give young people the best start in life.

Commenting on the visit Susanne Davies the Managing Director of the Black Country and Marches Institute of Technology said:

“It was fantastic to provide the opportunity for our learners to talk to Sir Keir and share with him their own stories about aspiration and achievement.  The Institute of Technology provides education and training in engineering, manufacturing and medical engineering and healthcare, all critical sectors to the West Midlands economy, so I was delighted that the importance of skills was at the forefront of today’s event.“

Emmanuel Aboyomi-Daniel (aged 17) a Level 3 Modern Methods of Construction student , who spoke to Sir Keir said:

“He seemed like a nice bloke, who showed an interest in what I had been studying during the year. We spoke about what it is like living in Dudley and he wished me well for my future plan of pursuing a career in construction design .“

Rhiya Tahir (aged 16) who is studying for a T level in Surveying and design said:

“Today was a great opportunity as I realise, he may become the next Prime Minister. I was happy to tell him about how great it has been studying here and how I hope to use my qualification in the future to gain a Higher Apprenticeship and possibly work with a construction firm in Spain.“

The Black Country and Marches Institute of Technology is one of 21 Institutes of Technology,  located across England in a national network of education providers, leading employers and Higher Education Institutes, who are designed to meet the nation’s evolving educational and skills needs. They offer a range of qualifications, including higher apprenticeships, higher technical qualifications, degrees, and T levels. Qualifications are at level 3, 4 and 5, are delivered flexibly, both in and out of the workplace.

To find out more about the Black Country and Marches Institute of Technology visit : The Institute of Technology (blackcountryandmarchesiot.ac.uk)

Working with other Colleges and training providers across the West Midlands and Warwickshire Dudley College of Technology is delighted to announce the launch of a new  brand, website and advertising campaign which creates a one stop shop for employers and their workforce.

Known as Skills West Midlands and Warwickshire (Skills WM+W), the one stop shop for employers is part of the Local Skills and Improvement Plan (LSIP) with funding through the Department for Education’s Local Skills and Improvement Fund (LSIF).

Alongside the launch of Skills WM+W, a report reveals detailed research and analysis into the opportunities and challenges around skills in four priority growth sectors: construction, engineering and manufacturing, digital and ICT and logistics and distribution. The full report is available to read on our website.

As part of this new development post 16 education and training providers promise to put employers at the heart of the skills planning process, so businesses have the people and skills they need to innovate, grow and thrive. And critically Skills WM+W has the potential to transform the way colleges engage with employers, delivering a more agile and responsive service that better aligns with employer needs. With this new way of working training providers hope to play an even bigger part in the region’s growth story.

Backed by a multi-channel advertising campaign the message for employers from the FE sector is that “we’ve made your business our business.” And employers have been invited to voice their opinions on the new offer through a series of engagement events across the West Midlands and Warwickshire which will be held at the MAC in Birmingham, Warwick Racecourse and The BCIMO Centre in the Black Country on Thursday 20^th March.

Commenting on the launch , Suzie Branch-Haddow of Birmingham Metropolitan College and lead project manager of Skills WM +W said:

“Skills West Midlands and Warwickshire is a regional growth strategy.”

“Many colleges and training providers are working well with employers. They tell us they are largely satisfied with the technical skills taught in colleges. But we need to go deeper, harder and faster.”

“Skills WM+W is our statement of intent that will see us work better together and engage even deeper with employers. We have listened and this is the first chance to show employers what we are doing. It is massive step up for our sector and not without its challenges in a competitive market.”

“We know the jobs are there; the growth potential is there. But there are serious challenges, not least in addressing acute labour shortages right now and real problems with soft and essential skills.”

“This is a big opportunity. I hope employers will recognise that we see their business as our business.”

Further education already takes a central role in supporting skills development across the region. It comprises 70 providers and teaches around 120,000 students. However, the role of FE amongst a significant number of employers is either unknown or misunderstood. 

The insight report from Whitecap Consulting provides comprehensive analysis on the four priority growth sectors with mapping of the entire curriculum in these areas and in-depth 1-1 discussions with decision-makers across a range of employers. It spells out where there are acute labour and skills shortages, which industries face the challenge of ageing workforces and highlights the issue of poorly equipped entry level recruits who struggle with ‘soft’ and essential skills.

Skills West Midlands and Warwickshire is set to deliver on the Local Skills Improvement Plan published in 2023 which laid out a clear roadmap. The plan revealed around 74% of regional employers had not worked with post-16 education and training providers in the last five years. Around 90% of employers in Whitecap’s latest research said they want to know more about what the sector can offer and showed a clear appetite to be more involved in shaping training provision.

This latest stage of the Plan’s delivery aims to answer the call in Whitecap’s research for a streamlined and effective single point of engagement, with a united brand and website.

A copy of the insights report can be found on the website www.skillswmw.com.

Automotive apprentices at Dudley College of Technology have been celebrating three years of hard work as they completed their final assessments over the February half-term break.

Jack Payton (of Blakedown Automotive, aged 23), Nick Hobday (of Halesowen Motor House, aged 21) and Filip Filarowski (of the Netherton Motor Company, aged 20) achieved distinctions after recently completing their End Point Assessments. The End Point Assessment, which takes place when a learner has completed all on-programme learning consisted of a range of exams, including an online theory exam, skills test and finally, a one-to-one professional discussion with an IMI assessor that covers all of the work that learner has completed over the last three years.

The gruelling exam, which took four days to complete was overseen by a group of Independent Assessors from the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI).

The skills test portion of the exam was a particular source of pressure for the learners.

Speaking about the trio’s challenge, Automotive lecturer Christopher White said:

“The minimum pass mark for the EPA is 70% and the learners were under close observation throughout the 11 hours skills test. During that time, the learners worked through five vehicles, each fitted with a complex fault that they have to diagnose, document and repair within an allocated time – which can be quite tough to say the least!”

Looking back on the intense exams period, Automotive Curriculum Manager Dennis Stephens said:

“I’d like to extend my congratulations to Jack, Nick and Filip on their hard work and the effort they put in to gain their distinctions. Setting up for the EPA required the department coming together to ensure that the workshops and vehicles are ready for the arrival of the IMI assessors, so I’d also like to thank the department for their show of support across the week!”

With the EPA behind them, all three learners are looking forward to a well-earned break before continuing employment at businesses across the region. – Congratulations to all!

Dudley College of Technology is proud to announce the development of a cutting-edge Animal Care and Welfare facility, which will provide a dedicated space for the Animal Science Department and accommodate the college’s growing offer in the subject. The new £7.5 million development is due to open in September 2024. 

In keeping with the college’s sustainability commitments, the new facility is a deep retrofit of an original 1950s building situated on the northern side of the college’s Broadway campus. It will house a suite of modern teaching spaces, including a biology laboratory, fully fitted animal kitchen and biosecurity room. 

The building will also host office spaces and a floor dedicated to homing a range of animals including Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, exotic mammals such as Chinchillas, a range of reptiles and aquatic wildlife. There is even a plan to home goats in the courtyard adjacent to the building. 

Thoughtfully designed with their wellbeing in mind, each group of animals will have state-of-the art accommodation, ensuring that their specific needs are met. 

The new development will provide the college with the ability to run a number of new programmes, giving learners more ways than ever to progress in their chosen profession. New short course will also allow pet owners to learn more about how to best care for their animals. 

Talking about the new building Phill Steele, Head of Science and Medical Technologies at the college said: 

“We are very excited about the addition to our animal management and animal science provision. We will be able to expand the pathways for full-time school leavers looking to develop careers in animal care, including dog handlers, zoologists, and veterinary nurses. We will also be offering a range of general programmes for the local animal lover. The new facility will bring together all our specialist facilities under one roof. It is going to be a superb asset to the college.” 

Applications for 24/25 are now available here on our website. 

As part of National Apprenticeship Week we hosted visits from Amanda Solloway MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero), Marco Longhi MP, and Shelagh Legrave CBE, the FE Commissioner.  Not only did they come to give their support for the place Apprenticeships have to play in the skills landscape, but they came to look at how our curriculum is supporting green skills and the T level rollout.  

Amanda spent several hours in Advance II talking to apprentices at all levels:  including air-conditioning and refrigeration apprentices with tutor Chris Clamp and electrical apprentices with tutor Simon Loveland. Leon Vincent’s level 3 apprenticeship group also took part in a Q&A activity with the Minister where they quizzed her on the future of apprenticeships and how we support more people to pursue careers in these industries. Amanda loved engaging with the students and having a go at a range of practical skills. She was particularly impressed with the links with employers we have and had the opportunity to talk to Lyndon Staples the Regional sales manager form Fieldpiece, who work closely with the College, supplying equipment so that students can develop their skills on the latest industry kit. 

Commenting on her visit The minister said: “I have visited a number of colleges as part of the National Apprenticeship Week and have been really impressed with the Dudley College Advance centre. It is a very impressive building and the range of trades and skills being taught with state-of-the-art equipment and tutors who are committed to bringing them through ready for the world of work, which they are already experiencing in many cases

“This is traditionally a region steeped in heavy industry but employers and apprentices are embracing new ways of working for the future.

” We exchanged with them some really good ideas about the government’s green initiatives around net zero such as the use of energy saving technology and new ways of working and they were very open to them. “

Neil Thomas Chief Executive and Principal of Dudley College said: “It is always good to welcome external stakeholders to the college, so they can meet with our marvellous staff and students. As one of the largest apprenticeship providers in the West Midlands, it’s only right we celebrate National Apprenticeship week by showcasing some of the apprenticeship programmes we offer in areas that will contribute to reducing global warming, through the appliance of new technology. ”