St. Modwen Logistics, one of the UK’s leading developers and managers of logistics space, has been selected as a strategic partner for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Institute of Technology (IoT) which will see employers and academia working collaboratively to provide training and learning to increase employment opportunities in the science, technology, engineering and manufacturing (STEM) industries.
St. Modwen Logistics will provide opportunities to learn about all facets of logistics development, from land acquisition to design and planning considerations, through to sustainable construction and operation, to help address the long-term shortage of specialist skills in the region.
The Stoke and Staffordshire IoT I is scheduled to open in 2024 and will be one of 21 facilities dedicated to increasing learning and employment opportunities in the STEM industries across the UK.
The £16m centre is being developed by the Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG), and in partnership with other education providers and key employers including Keele University, Burton and South Derbyshire College, Axia Solutions, Siemens, Moog Aircraft Group, Dell and Hitachi Energy. The Institutes of Technology are backed by funding from the UK Government.
Polly Troughton, Managing Director of St. Modwen Logistics, said: “At St. Modwen Logistics we are passionate about nurturing the next generation of talent to support our rapidly growing industry.
“The opportunity to work with the IoT to help shape the curriculum means we will be able to equip students with the development and construction skills needed to support this growth and play our part in creating a high-wage, high-skill economy in the region.”
Jason Lancaster, Director of Institute of Technology and Employer Partnership, added: “St. Modwen Logistics’ extensive experience of developing and supporting the operation of commercial properties brings a unique perspective to the work we are doing around technical construction professions, commercial development and advanced logistics operations and will give our future students the opportunity to gain valuable new insights into these exciting and rapidly expanding fields.
“We look forward to a long and successful working relationship.”