A new report from independent think tank Policy Exchange has highlighted NMITE as a pioneering model for engineering education, making the case for a new generation of specialist institutions to address skills shortages, widen access to higher education and support regional economic growth.
Engineered for Success: Lessons from the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering examines NMITE’s approach and explores how similar models could help meet the needs of employers and communities across England.
At the heart of the report is NMITE’s distinctive model, combining accelerated degrees with intensive, practical learning and employer-designed projects. Rather than relying on traditional examinations, students demonstrate their knowledge through industry-relevant work.
Established in Hereford, NMITE was created to address both a national shortage of engineers and the specific skills needs of a region historically underserved by higher education. Policy Exchange further identifies the potential for specialist, employer-focused institutions to strengthen local economies, develop higher-level skills and create opportunities for people who might otherwise face barriers to higher education.
Beyond its assessment of NMITE, the report recommends measures to support similar institutions in areas with limited higher education provision and significant skills needs.
These include a proposed £50 million Seed Development Fund to help establish up to ten new providers, greater involvement for regional mayors and employers, and a more streamlined regulatory process.
The report positions NMITE as an example of how a different approach to engineering education can respond to the needs of students, employers and local communities, while contributing to the wider debate about the future of higher education in the UK.
Read the full report: Engineered for Success: Lessons from the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering
As seen in:
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