The Digital Ambassador Programme in Construction, led by the North East Institute of Technology (NEIoT), is entering its third year, bringing industry expertise to its largest cohort of learners to date. Co-ordinated by NEIoT anchor partner Esh Group, the programme brings industry and education together to support local colleges in the North East and Tees Valley to deliver the best quality education to the future workforce.

As part of the scheme, local Construction and Built Environment businesses deliver guest lectures for learners and CPD for lecturers, showcasing digital construction and helping to update perceptions of the industry. This approach is designed to improve the quality and relevance of teaching materials.

By bringing industry experts into the classroom, students gain the opportunity to interact with inspiring industry professionals and gain experience of software applications used in industry before leaving college. The ‘Digital Swap’ strand invites lecturers into the workplace to learn more about the daily application of software and the wider C&BE industry. Since the programme launched in 2024, 51 session have been delivered by participating employers including Esh Group, Turner & Townsend and Arup.

Nine colleges across the region are participating in the Digital Ambassador programme this year, reflecting its growing reach and impact. These include NEIoT partners New College Durham, East Durham College, Middlesbrough College, and Tyne Coast College and five other colleges in the region. Employers have signed up to deliver all 28 masterclasses this year, in topics like Software in Construction Planning, Digital Technology in Retrofit and 3D Modelling/Virtual Reality.

Building on the success of the Construction programme, the IoT now aims to extend the Digital Ambassador model to other sectors, starting with Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering.

The visit, facilitated by the West of England Institute of Technology (WEIoT) brought Claire Hazelgrove MP together with education and industry leaders from across the WEIoT partnership, including GKN Aerospace, the Weston College Group and the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol). GKN apprentices also took part, sharing first-hand insights into technical education and their progression into high-skilled aerospace careers.

The visit included a tour of the Global Technology Centre (GTC), beginning in the Training and Education Centre, where the MP met apprentices, explored the learning environment, and viewed specialist facilities. The tour continued into the workshop, home to Weston College’s learning space, demonstrating how technical education is being delivered directly alongside cutting-edge aerospace innovation.

The WEIoT was established to bring together education and industry in a new, collaborative way, uniting colleges, a university, and employers to deliver high-quality technical education aligned to the region’s skills needs. Over time, WEIoT has evolved into a strategic, employer-responsive partnership focused on building strong talent pipelines across priority sectors including engineering and advanced manufacturing, digital, health and life sciences, construction, and creative technologies.

The visit reinforced Claire Hazelgrove MP’s commitment to supporting young people, strengthening links between education and local employers, and ensuring the region’s aerospace and engineering sectors have the skilled workforce they need to thrive.

Claire Hazelgrove, MP for the Filton and Bradley Stoke constituency, said:

I’m grateful to GKN Aerospace for hosting me together with key representatives from UWE Bristol, Weston College and the Gatsby Foundation on site in Filton on Friday to hear more about their collaboration - between industry, education and research - at the West of England Institute of Technology (WEIoT). This collaboration is both driving innovation and creating opportunities right here in our community, including for apprentices like Reece, Maddie and Lysander, who we heard from about their invaluable experience here. Our Labour Government is backing further education and gold standard apprenticeships alongside university education - rather than pushing it instead of these other valuable routes - and funding the costs of training apprentices for SMEs.

Speaking following the visit, Pat Jones, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College Group and education provider lead for the WEIoT, said:

This visit highlights the power of partnership between education and industry. Together, we are creating clear, high-quality technical pathways that allow learners to progress into skilled, well-paid careers without leaving the region. Building on our strong partnerships with GKN Aerospace, Airbus and Rolls-Royce, Weston College is developing a new Aerospace Skills Academy in Filton. This investment reflects our shared commitment to meeting the future skills needs of the aerospace sector, supporting employers, and ensuring local people can access outstanding technical education that leads directly to opportunity.

Institutes of Technology are a national network stretching from Truro to Tyneside, collectively comprising over 80 further education colleges, 30 universities, and 100 employer partners. Our mission is to equip individuals with the advanced technical skills that drive innovation and meet employers’ evolving needs.

To get in touch with your local Institute of Technology, see our Find an IoT page.