Shaping Skills for Tomorrow: Liberal Democrat MPs Visit Sussex & Surrey Institute of Technology  

Crawley College was proud to welcome two Liberal Democrat MPs for a tour of its innovative Sussex and Surrey Institute of Technology (SSIoT) building.  

Munira Wilson, MP for Twickenham and Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Education, Children and Families, and Ian Sollom, MP for St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire and Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Universities and Skills, visited the college to engage with institute leadership, industry representatives and delivery partners. 

The visit provided an opportunity to explore how closer collaboration between education and employers can help meet skills needs and support learners across the region. 

Organised in partnership with the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, the MP’s joined a selection of other guests for an open discussion and were also given a tour of the new facilities, including newly installed Festo Didactic Industry 4.0 equipment.  

The visit explored how the Institute of Technology model can continue to strengthen collaboration between colleges, universities and employers to support post-18 education, while highlighting the growing importance of Higher Technical Education at Levels 4 and 5.

Ian Sollom said:  
“I think what’s really impressive is to see how the ecosystem of post-16 education is working in Sussex and Surrey.  

“I think it’s really good to see different education providers from Higher Education and Further Education coming together and working with employers to make an offering that’s really good for the young people of the region.  

Munira Wilson added:

“It’s brilliant to see this kind of facility here in Sussex that’s available to lots of young people who want to come and do technical and vocational training, working with local employers and providers right across the region. It’s been a really inspiring visit.”

Paul Rolfe, Director of the Sussex & Surrey Institute of Technology, said:  

“We really value the opportunity to work with government, employers and education partners to strengthen higher technical education. That collaborative approach is at the heart of SSIoT and is essential if we are to create clear progression routes for learners and respond to the skills needs of the region.” 

A massive thank you to all the businesses and education providers that attended on the day, including:  

West Sussex County Council, Chichester District Council, Roche Diagnostics, London Gatwick Airport, University of Chichester, University of Sussex, NESCOT, and the Gatsby Charitable Foundation.  

To learn more about the Sussex & Surrey Institute of Technology, please click here. To learn more about the wide variety of courses available at Crawley College, please click here. To learn more about the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, please click here.