Gower College Swansea has appointed Professor Tom Crick MBE to lead its drive to develop digital skills for employers across the region.
Crick is a non-executive director of Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board and Dwr Cymru, as well as vice-president of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT.
He has been a key digital leader in Wales, with substantial experience as an expert advisor to the Welsh Government.
In 2013 he chaired the independent review of the ICT curriculum in Wales and in 2015 he chaired the development of the new Digital Competence Framework.
“I am very pleased to be working with Gower College Swansea on their digital vision which will build upon their existing portfolio and activities,” said Crick.
“This is a crucial time for the FE sector, as well as for the wider Swansea city region, with significant opportunities to work with key industrial and public sector partners to deliver the high-value skills needed both now and over the next five to ten years.
“This very much links to my work on the new curriculum in Wales, as well as on developing a thriving digital economy.
“There is a clear aspiration from the college to be a digital skills pioneer in the region, supporting the City Deal and building resilient and sustainable communities.”
In 2017 Crick was appointed chair of the new National Network for Excellence in Science & Technology, a £4m investment by the Welsh Government.
He has also served in a number of high-profile UK advisory positions to support science and innovation and was appointed an MBE in the Queen’s 2017 Birthday Honours list for services to computer science and the promotion of computer science education.
The college’s director of skills and business development Paul Kift said: “I am delighted to welcome Tom to the Gower College Swansea team.
“Tom is an absolute expert in his field and I was thrilled when he agreed to help the college bridge the digital skills gap which is currently being experienced across the UK.
“Cutting edge digital skills have been identified as being a key necessity within a number of the proposed Swansea Bay City Deal projects.
“To ensure that the region is equipped with the capabilities that will allow it to thrive, Tom will engage with employers, review the College’s current digital provision and develop innovative courses to enhance local industry.
“We look forward to working in collaboration to deliver the talent that the region requires.”