Blackpool South MP Chris Webb says the Lancashire and Cumbria Institute of Technology (IoT) will be a driving force in his goal for the town to become a major digital hub.
Keen gamer Webb experienced a driving simulator, virtual reality Igloo, cyber security suites and data lab at Blackpool and the Fylde College.
He told students and staff he was excited by the opportunities the IoT offers learners in his hometown, and the potential for it to contribute to his dream of Blackpool attracting top digital businesses.
The Lancashire and Cumbria IoT is a group of eight colleges, including Blackpool and the Fylde College, set up to collaborate with employers to draw up courses that meet industry skills needs.
Government funding of £8.7m was awarded to the IoT colleges in Lancashire and Cumbria to spend on industry-leading technology to enable learners to train on the equipment they would be using in the real world.
“I could never have dreamed growing up that tech like this would be on my doorstep. I want Blackpool to be at the cutting edge to try to attract digital businesses
so that people can stay here and have meaningful, rewarding careers,” said Webb.
“I see the Lancashire and Cumbria IoT as being an important part of that, teaching the skills industries will need and giving people vital opportunities using this amazing technology.”
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Marc Potter, assistant principal digital and creative innovation, led Webb on a tour of B&FC’s University Centre, where IoT investment has gone into equipment that can be used by those studying digital qualifications and learners across other courses.
The college has a VR Igloo, an immersive space that can replicate real-world environments.
Potter added: “It’s a wonderful piece of equipment and we find students come up with innovative ways of using it that even we haven’t thought of.
“We talk to industry and they want interactive spaces where their learners can collaborate on real-world problems – this is what the IoT is doing.”
Webb praised the IoT for its focus on technical skills, which he said is vital for those not necessarily interested in the university route.
He continued: “This gives young people like me with learning disabilities, who might not be good at English or those who didn’t go to university at 18, a route into industry that can be flexible to their needs. This is really inspiring and I’ll support the IoT however I can.”