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Thames Valley Berkshire LEP Chairman, Peter Read, officially opened Newbury College’s brand new Solutions Lab on 30 January 2017 (pictured above with Principal & Chief Executive of Newbury College, Anne Murdoch).
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The College received £333,333 from the LEP through Local Growth Funds
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The new facility, fitted with leading technology, will enable the College’s engineering apprentices to research, design and develop components for their employers, whilst also benefitting students on full-time engineering programmes.
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The new Lab will help address the needs of the local economy by raising the quality and profile of the science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) provision in the area.
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"Our Growth Deal set out to grow the STEM skills base in Berkshire, and this project is an excellent example of this being put into action" - LEP Chairman
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Whilst employers continue to place strong emphasis on STEM skills, the number of young people entering the workforce with these skills remains below demand across Berkshire, meaning that the area cannot compete effectively with London.
As a high proportion of businesses in the Berkshire economy are knowledge-intensive and therefore require a continuing flow of STEM talent, it is vital that significant steps are taken to ensure the economic potential of Berkshire is not restricted by labour supply issues.
The opening of the Solutions Lab at Newbury College is a definite step in the right direction.
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