Students are training in a state-of-the-art new technology centre after a £13m cash injection set up a new institute.

The South Coast Institute of Technology, located at CEMAST College off Solent Airport, Lee-on-the-Solent, is a collaboration between South Hampshire College Group, Solent University, University of Portsmouth, HSDC, Brockenhurst College, and the Isle of Wight College.

It launched on Tuesday and is designed to address the skills gap within the maritime, engineering, and digital sectors - and even boasts virtual reality big screens.

The institute will work with employers to increase the number of students pursuing technical education science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-led industries.

Daily Echo: The Institute of Technology launch.

 

With 50 unique careers currently available, the Institute of Technology aims to improve the talent pipeline into industries that are vital to the future growth and prosperity of the region.

Speaking at the launch, Andrew Kaye, chief executive of the South Hampshire College Group, said: “CEMAST is 10 years old now and has been hugely successful in that time.

“It was set up in response to skills shortages in STEM, that problem hasn’t gone away, and we still have shortages in those subjects.

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“The Institute of Technology really does provide further opportunities to increase the scale of training available, provide new equipment, and update the curriculum.”

Students learning on the site are able to access virtual reality headsets to place them in real-life working environments, as well as virtual reality big screens.

Long-time Gadget Show host Jason Bradbury gave a speech at the institute’s unveiling, arriving in the CEMAST reception on his purpose-built hoverboard.

Speaking at the event about his passion for technology and how it can be used for good, Jason also touched on his biggest fear going forward.

“I think we have to make sure we don’t leave the current generation behind,” he said.

“My 16-year-old son is a professional gamer and on the face of it you’d think it’s not particularly sociable but actually what he’s doing is.

“It’s incredibly social and he’s engaging with all sorts of different communities but equally it’s all digital, he’s not going out and meeting friends, so that would be my slight concern, we don’t want them to get left behind.”