The Strategic Development Fund

An investment into emerging technologies and skills training

They have identified skills needs in different industries and surveyed employers about the vacancies they find hard to fill. Chambers are also now writing the Local Skills Improvement Plans to provide a blueprint for local colleges to ensure that they are equipping the next generation with the skills they need for success in industry.

The Strategic Development Fund (SDF) programme was introduced as part of the blueprint for reshaping the technical skills system to better support the needs of the local labour market and the wider economy. The SDF has provided investment to enable areas across England to reshape their teaching and training provision and update their facilities in preparation for the rollout of these Local Skills Improvement Plans.

In Hertfordshire, West Herts College Group are working hard to get this done.

Working alongside Oaklands College, North Herts College and Hertford Regional College, West Herts College Group have overseen the rollout of the SDF investment in Hertfordshire, collaborating with employers and colleges to ensure that both are prepared for skills training.

The colleges have used this funding to invest in technology that will enable them to develop new skills solutions for students and employers using some of the most advanced virtual reality techniques. This technology is designed to enhance teaching and learning for students, this has taken shape by investing in Haptic feedback suits, VR Headsets, VR Omnidirectional treadmills and more leading-edge

Amanda.Washbrook@westherts.ac.uk.

Tel: 01923 812345 westherts.ac.uk technology such as industry-standard training rigs for the installation and testing of solar PV, electric vehicle charging, and heat pump technology.

The Colleges have also worked together to create an employer engagement toolkit that brings together good practice from participating colleges, to support those involved in employer engagement. This will provide a framework for ongoing collaboration with employer SMEs across different sectors.

The upskilling of staff in green technologies, coupled with the installation of workshops to enable delivery of training on green technologies, will mean that, through delivering the training required for installers of these technologies, we can support the transition to green ways of working in construction – a key priority for the region.

Employers can count on their local colleges for support in meeting skills gaps in their sectors, at West Herts College Group we’re keen to work with employers of all sizes to understand their requirements and work together to prepare a pipeline of future talent.