What is STEM?
STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and applies to subjects that fall under these areas. Alongside encouraging more students to study a STEM based subject at Degree Level, there is also a focus aimed at increasing the proportion of women who choose to pursue a career in STEM industries and study a STEM subject.
Studying a STEM related subject can lead to exciting opportunities for young people, which can be accessed through a range of education and training routes. Studying STEM subjects can help to maximise career options in not only STEM industry areas, but also for careers not related to STEM.
With annual construction demand in the next 15 years is forecast to increase to between 90,000 and 100,000 within Essex, creating an estimated 30,000 new jobs to be generated across the District. The delivery of training in STEM subjects is essential in order to meet urgent employer demand for skilled workforce. The Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Centre will address growing skills shortages in the local area and supply local employers with the workforce they desperately need. The College hopes to strengthen industry links in areas of construction, manufacturing and engineering sectors.
- Training Opportunities in construction and trades, engineering processes, digital media and manufacturing
- Industry-relevant qualifications including apprenticeships, NVQ diplomas, technical certificates and BTECs
- Extensive new conference facilities and meeting spaces to hire
The facilities will enable us to train hundreds more adults and young people for careers in construction, science and engineering. In our state-of-the-art workshops, laboratories and classrooms, students will gain skills in disciplines such as advanced manufacturing and design, robotics, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical installations. It will also be the home for many employer focused, short and continuous professional development courses run by our Business Solutions team – our business arm who specialise in meeting workforce skills training and development needs including apprenticeships.
Industry standard equipment will ensure that students receive the vital practical training – as well as the right qualifications to start successful careers. Such qualifications will include traditional City and Guilds, BTECs, honours degrees and a wide range of apprenticeships. Adult students already employed in relevant industries will benefit from the facilities through training organised for employers which in the past they may have had to travel some distance to access.
The new development, based at our Braintree campus, consists of three high-tech engineering workshops, two modern construction workshops and six large classrooms, and its packed with the latest equipment, including a universal steel shearing machine, modern welding equipment, a pillar drill, bench drills and much, much more!
The specialist training space which opened to students in September 2017, allows those studying manufacturing, construction, engineering, digital media or IT to benfit from the very latest resources.
The funding for the skills centre was supported predominately by South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SE LEP), after the College won a share of £22 million in Skills Capital Funding as well as a £980k match funding from Essex County Council. The College has also received generous sponsorship from Cadman Construction Ltd towards the new equipment in the Brickwork and Plumbing workshops.
The College has worked collaboratively with employers in the industry to create new courses and facilities, which cater for these skills gaps, including Welding and Fabrication, Engineering Processes and Manufacturing. The specific high-tech workshops are based on industry facilities, preparing students for the workplace. These large, open plan areas include three engineering workshops, two construction workshops and six classrooms with state-of-the-art facilities. These resources will enable students, apprentices and the wider community to engage in training opportunities within the engineering and technology areas.
Colchester Institute provides high quality training solutions for the needs of businesses in the Braintree and Colchester Districts.
We provide a wide range of training across a multitude of industries, and can help you or your business increase productivity, profits and workforce skills.
Hire Our Facilities
Whether you want to host an event or take advantage of our many specialist facilities, our venue locations will provide you with everything you are looking for and more. The Conference Centre at the STEM Innovation Centre in Braintree is easily accessible by road or public transport and can be hired on an individual basis or as part of a tailor-made package at a competitive rate.
For further information on room capacity and charges or to place an enquiry for hire please contact our Venues and Facilities Team on (01206) 712111 or email Facilities.Helpdesk@colchester.ac.uk
