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.