New MIRA Technology Institute to provide the engineering workforce of the future

"The MTI represents a real step-change in the model for training provision for the automotive sector."

In September a brand new institute of technology will be opening its doors to students wanting to work in the UK automotive sector: MIRA Technology Institute (MTI) will provide training aimed at satisfying the ever-increasing need for specialist skills in the UK automotive industry.

Situated at the MIRA Technology Park at the border of Warwickshire and Leicestershire, MTI is the result of a partnership between lead partner North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College, HORIBA MIRA, Coventry University, Loughborough University and the University of Leicester. It received a Local Growth Fund grant of £9.5m from the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) and is backed by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy.

The current deficit of technical skills is well documented and engineering firms have long raised concerns over the shortfall. Research undertaken by Engineering UK found that 203,000 people with Level 3+ engineering skills will be needed every year to meet demand through to 2024. Peter Finegold, Head of Education policy at the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (ImechE), has spoken of a mismatch between the skills employers need and those valued by the education system.

In 2016 the government published a green paper outlining its industrial strategy. The development of MTI is aligned with several key proposals in the document including the roll out of new institutes of technology in all regions of the UK to widen provision of technical skills. The paper also includes a desire to see employers step in and help shape educational content.

MTI will offer a wide range of qualifications via its ‘skills escalator’: offering courses from LEVEL 2 apprenticeships to higher and degree level apprenticeships, running up to doctorate level. Courses offered by MTI will be industry lead and the institute will have a focus on disruptive technologies such as electrification and driverless vehicles; where there is currently a big skills shortage. 2,500 students will be taught in the first three years of MTI opening via a bespoke curriculum tailored to the needs of the employer, with both on and off the job training provided.

While engineering skills provides MTI’s bread and butter, students will also be able access non-technical courses suited to business needs including: project management, leadership skills and business development.

Lisa Bingley, Operations Director, said: “The MTI represents a real step-change in the model for training provision for the automotive sector. In the past, access to technical training of this type has been quite fragmented, depending on factors such as skill level, geographical location and industry specialism.

“What is new with MTI, and the reason why we believe this new facility is set to make such an impact, is that all aspects of advanced automotive skills training will now be accessible under one roof, effectively through a single provider. Clients will be able to upskill their workforce seamlessly using our skills escalator. We hope that this will present organisations with a much easier way of future-proofing their training requirements.

“I am very keen to hear from sector employers who would like to get involved in making sure that the training, and the way it is delivered through the MTI, is a good fit with their specific current and future needs.”

More information about MTI, including enrolment, is available via its website: miratechnologyinstitute.com