College’s new business centre will shape workforce of the future

Derby College Group has launched a new business centre to allow it to work with employers to provide and deliver the right skills and knowledge for the workforce of the future.

The Engine Room Business Knowledge Exchange Centre, based at college’s Roundhouse campus, on Pride Park, will provide the focal point for its partnership work with employers, other education providers and stakeholders.

It will have a specific focus on supporting employers in the key growth sectors of rail, digital, civil engineering, construction and advanced engineering.

A range of local businesses and organisations were the first to see the new facilities during a recent event organised to showcase how employers work with the college to co-design and co-deliver the curriculum for further and higher education students.

Deputy principal Kate Martin said: “Our goal in setting up the Engine Room Knowledge Exchange Centre is to ensure the provision and delivery of associated skills and knowledge is better aligned across the identified sectors in this area.

“It will complement and enhance the work, research and academic reputation of the East Midlands Institute of Technology which, from 2025, will be based at the Roundhouse, and will deliver high quality, industry-informed Higher Technical Qualifications to growth sectors such as the rail industry in partnership with the University of Derby.”

Derby is currently one of six locations across the UK bidding to be the new home of Great British Railways (GBR).

Winning the competition would bring huge economic benefits not just to the city, which is already home to the largest cluster of rail companies in Europe, but also the wider East Midlands.

A public vote is currently taking place, the result of which will be considered by the Department for Transport when it makes its final decision.

Derby’s bid has received support not just from the city and county but across the region.

Derby College Group is one of the many organisations backing the city’s campaign.

Kate said that the college’s investment in the new knowledge exchange centre was another clear indication of the organisation’s commitment to working in partnership with the city’s key sectors such as the rail industry.

She said: “Derby College Group has strong employer and curriculum links to the rail industry and is proud that the restored Roundhouse is the central hub of our flagship technical and professional skills campus on Pride Park.

“Derby has a really strong case for bringing GBR to the city and we have encouraged all of our employees, students and stakeholders to cast their vote to ensure this happens.

“The opening of the Engine Room Business Knowledge Exchange Centre, sponsored by Fujitsu, could not be more timely as Derby’s bid to be the home of GBR gathers momentum.

“The operation would bring significant skilled and well-paid job opportunities to the city and region in a wide range of disciplines from business and digital and engineering and civil engineering.

“It would also be great news for the wider economic and wellbeing of the city – with positive knock-on effects to sectors such as housing, leisure and culture as experienced by cities who have been earmarked for major departmental and corporate relocations.

“As an organisation and education sector, we have proved our commitment to working in partnership with other colleges and universities and with employers to ensure local skills provision meets local needs.

“This, alongside the public vote, will hopefully convince decision makers that Derby is indeed the right city for this important development.”

To vote for Derby’s GBR bid please click here.