NMITE: Revolutionising STEM Education

NMITE: Revolutionising STEM Education

The Problem

A national and local skills deficit. The engineering professions need to adapt to support technology driven economic growth.

National picture:

» UK Engineering Higher Education (HE) needs to innovate

» Significant shortage of new engineers

» Low innovation in much HE STEM provision

» Lack of diversity (gender, race, income, thought)

» Imbalance of academic and hands-on experience

» Loss of focus on skills

Local picture:

» Herefordshire is an HE cold spot – no university, limited degree level opportunities

» Small, under-populated county with an older population

» Rural and urban deprivation in places

» Weak skills creation and staff retention

» Low economic growth

The traditional path to professional engineer

Complete GCSEs – Maths and Physics essential

Select A levels: Maths and Physics essential

Apply for university course(s) early in Year 13 and pass A-level exams

Undertake first two years of undergraduate degree

Undertake professional training year (optional)

Complete final year of undergraduate degree

Undertake postgraduate degree to secure MEng

Enter graduate training scheme to start professional career

Shortcomings of a model that has barely changed in a generation

» Up to 7 years to reach Chartered Engineer requirements

» Depends on options chosen at 14 y/o

» Denies access to those without A-levels

» Normally forces the study of a single engineering discipline

» Curriculum typically designed around theory and exam based assessment

» Requires a full professional training year to gain real world experience

The current approach to engineering education isn’t working – change is needed

The New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering - NMITE - offers a completely new model

The Solution

Until NMITE.

HE needs more innovation, enterprise and choice

“Our universities are engines of economic growth and social mobility, but if we are to remain competitive and ensure that a high-quality education remains open to all, we cannot stand still. Making it easier for high-quality challenger institutions to start offering their own degrees will help drive up teaching quality, boost the economy and extend aspiration and life chances for students from all backgrounds.”

- From the HE White Paper (2016)

The need for new approaches has been recognised for years – but change has been difficult to deliver.

HE is a driver of social mobility

“Innovative new models of skills based HE also have an important role to play in levelling up places. For example, the New Model for Technology and Engineering offers a model of skills based learning drawing from global practice that emphasises work readiness, as well as self-reliance, community spirit and volunteering”

- Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, From the Levelling Up White Paper (2022)

Creating opportunities

My three main areas of focus [are]:

1. That universities meet the skills needs of the economy

2. Provide quality qualifications that lead to well paid jobs

3. Advance social justice by helping disadvantaged applicants onto the first rung of the ladder of opportunity

- From HE Minister Robert Halfon (Letter to Vice Chancellors, 2023)

NMITE: A combination of tried and tested international approaches and ground-breaking innovation

» Flexible programmes developing higher level skills A New University, a New Model

» Creating opportunities for talented young people Skills based and academically robust

Investment and focus on access, progression and success

» Partnering with industries to build the leaders of the future

What makes NMITE different?

Academic rigour, vocational approaches, integrated topics, wide accessibility

» Accelerated programme delivery – students can graduate a full year earlier than their peers

» 9 -5 days with little outside study – modelled on the workplace

» Inclusive, open and accessible

» Hands-on learning in small teams, via real-world projects

» Studio-based: no lectures or lecture theatres

» Interdisciplinary – includes liberal arts and essential “work” topics e.g. ethics, communication, teamwork

I enjoy working in an environment that has strong ties to industry, everything we do feels worthwhile and purposeful. With the 9-5 learning, I have a far better work-life balance than many of my peers who are studying in traditional higher education.

My current experience of NMITE has been amazing. It feels great to be part of such a new and exciting organisation where I feel appreciated and listened to.

Daniel James, January 2022 Cohort

NMITE: A new programme portfolio that offers wider access, accelerated delivery, flexibility and work-ready graduates

The NMITE portfolio from 2023

» Undergraduate degree available in 2 years

» MEng available in 3 years

» No requirement for Maths or Physics A-level

» Selection based on personal characteristics

» >30 workplace projects with employers

» All interdisciplinary – including liberal arts, business, and ethics

Foundation (1 year)

Entry Pointlimited academic background

Entry Pointstronger academic background

MEng Integrated Engineering (4 years)

MEng Integrated Engineering - accelerated (3 years)

BSc Sustainable Built Environment (3 years)

BEng Integrated Engineering (3 years)

BEng Integrated Engineering - Accelerated (2 years)

Minimum programme length (award bearing) - 2 years

Average programme length (award bearing) - 3 years

Average programme length (award bearing) - 3 years

Summary: the difference NMITE will make

By leveraging NMITE’s unique features to address the priorities in Higher Education, postive outcomes will follow

» Graduates will be in demand by employers due to their workreadiness, which will lead to a significant increase in job creation and economic growth

» Access to Higher Education is widened, creating new opportunities for future students from all backgrounds can access high-quality degree-level education

» NMITE’s agile model can adapt to meet changing needs and demands, ensuring that its courses and programmes remain relevant and up-to-date

» Transformative, degreelevel STEM and skills-based education will drive the economic regeneration of left-behind areas

NMITE’s Partnerships are setting the agenda

Just some of our curriculum partners

Advanced Engineering Centres

Hubs where industry and academia come together to solve key challenges we face in an everchanging world. Concepts are tested, and employers and students collaborate on projects to support regional regeneration and societal change

The NMITE Centre for Automated Manufacturing Engineering

The NMITE Centre for Advanced Timber Technology (Launched 2022)

- in partnership with the Manufacturing Technology Centre (Launched April 2023)

The Business Model

Income: from start-up investments to operational sustainability

Tutition Fees Capital Grants (from Government)

Income Split - 2021/22

Actual

Donations Commercial Income

Income Split - 2023/24

Forecast

Income Split - 2024/25

Forecast

Highlights

» Government grants used to establish estate and infrastructure

» Donations from partners to support bursaries and capacity building

» Course revenue <£200k

Highlights

» No Government support –institution must generate its own income

» Student numbers not yet at sustainable levels

» Financial support from donors vital to current operations and future growth

Highlights

» Institution fully sustainable

» Donations used to support bursaries and investment in future growth

» Annual course revenue c£6m

The path to full sustainability

Highlights

» Student population reaches sustainable level in 2025

» Surpluses generated from 2025/26

» Government grants and local fundraising got the institution off the ground between 2020 - 2022

The Business Model

» Three cohorts of students now in place

» Now in its second year of operations – significantly “de-risked” as a concept

» Working capital challenges expected between 2023 - 2025

Traction and Prospects

» Buildings and Infrastructure in place

» £6m raised in donations to date

» Academic sprints delivered in partnership with major engineering employers inc.

HS2, BP, Heineken

» NMITE’s programme includes >30 employer challenges

» First cohorts of students enrolled, flourishing

» Advanced engineering centres set up

» Students highly networked with industry and now in demand

» Half the first cohort of students already holding conditional job offers with major engineering employers

NMITE students are already attracting employers

“ NMITE has already secured conditional job offers for over half its first cohort, from a fantastic group of local tech and engineering businesses.... Which are these pioneering companies? Step forward, in alphabetical order, ABT Products, ETL Systems, Kirintec, REHAU, TRP Sealing Systems and Welsh Water

The Rt Hon Jesse Norman, MP for Hereford and South Herefordshire

NMITE is Herefordshire’s greatest opportunity in terms of levelling up our local economy, re-purposing our towns and cities and enabling social mobility within our communities.

Paul Walker, CEO, Herefordshire Council

Creating a University City: new buildings, civic amenities and sustainable transport

Image credit: Speller Metcalfe

Future gazing

2023 to 2025

New programmes and entry routes:

» Foundation level, undergraduate and postgraduate courses

» New Degree Awarding Powers: students will earn an NMITE degree

» Expanded skills programmes

» Research and knowledge transfer in sustainable built environment, automated manufacturing and construction

2025 to 2028

County wide expansion and diversification into new academic disciplines:

» New sites outside Hereford – a county, not a city institution

» Full university title and full degree awarding powers

» New programmes in engineering and technology related disciplines

» Wide range of skills programmes to prepare the workforce for the economy’s new jobs

2028 onwards

National Impact:

» NMITE offers a model for academically rigorous, skills based learning across the country

» NMITE hosts c600 students from across the UK and around the world

The 2028 Vision for NMITE and the City of Hereford

» >600 students on a range of programmes at foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate level

» Professional training and skills programmes – in partnership with further education providers

» Advanced Engineering Centres to develop key specialisms in:

» Timber technology and sustainable built environment (key UK centre)

» Automation in manufacturing

» Integrated engineering – connections to other disciplines, and society

» Nationally significant skills centre – focusing on future employment skills

NMITE will become a nationally significant new Higher Education Provider

Delivering transformational regional impact as the driver of Herefordshire’s new economic strategy

The 5 Themes of NMITE’s Role in Hereford’s City Masterplan

Theme 1 - Movement

Building active travel networks that make walking and cycling home, teaching facilities and “third places” the natural way to travel for students and staff.

Theme 2 - Communities and Culture

Addressing the skills gap and rebalancing the city’s demographics by attracting and retaining young people.

Theme 3 - The Economy and Opportunities

Addressing Hereford’s human capital needs by attracting and retaining young people to help build a highvalue, high-tech local economy.

Theme 4 - Landscape and Wildlife

The “embedded” university campus will be delivered alongside high-quality, biodiverse green spaces and public realm.

Theme 5 - Places and Spaces

Helping NMITE expand to form a flagship city campus, delivering a dynamic “university city” that in turn shapes Hereford’s very identity.

The Model in Action

Universities are drivers of regeneration – re-invigorating local economies, improving business competitiveness, driving innovation and creating prosperity

Before 1996

» Small, cathedral city with no university

» HE cold spot – in need of economic regeneration

Present day

» University established with 14,500 students

» £275m invested in local infrastructure in first 20 years

Lincoln: a thriving university city

» Economic value from university to region

£550m pa

» Region now a university-led hub for agri-food technology innovation and research

» One in six local people either work or study at the University

Before 2021

» Small, cathedral city with no university

» HE cold spot – in need of economic regeneration

Present day

» University set-up and has already attracted more than £40m in new investment

» New industry hubs already driving innovation in sustainable construction and manufacturing automation

Hereford: a thriving university city in 5 years

» New businesses investing to benefit from advanced centres

» Millions of pounds of economic value created

» 100s of jobs directly or indirectly supported

Investment brought into Herefordshire so far

» £25m of government funding to build new infrastructure

» £1m from the European Social Fund to develop and support future skills

» £8m in Levelling Up/Stronger Towns investment to develop a new “Skills Foundry” and a community outreach projects

» £4m investment from trusts and foundations to create a new centre for Advanced Timber Technology

» £6m invested by a developer in Hereford to refurbish old buildings into new student accommodation

» £.05m from a foundation to support schools outreach programmes to raise aspirations and awareness of engineering careers

Many towns see gaining a Higher Education Institution as one of the best ways of boosting their prospects. They attract young people to an area instead of losing them as they go to university elsewhere.

David Willets, HEPI 2021

Expanding the Model

NMITE offers a model that could deliver national impact. The Micro Civic University

Suggested Criteria for Micro Civic University Model:

» Low GVA per filled job

» Low participation rates in >18 education. Higher Education cold spots

» Missed out on Levelling Up investment

» Not served by an existing Higher Education Provider or Institute of Technology

» Smaller catchments – insufficient to support a large university

Focus on Skills and Access

1. Developing higher level technical skills

2. Adding a clear focus on employability skills

3. Widening access to find new talent (in a discipline that really needs it)

Regeneration Role

1. Leading role in regional levelling up investments – eg Stronger Towns

2. Building skills programmes and capabilities via its Skills Foundry initiative

3. Integrating to wider regional education ecosystem

Making It Happen

NMITE still needs financial support to deliver its mission

Philanthropic and Impact Investment

» Funding to help grow academic capacity – creating new academic posts to support more students

» Support for outreach work – helping reach a wider schools audience to break down barriers to higher eduction locally and nationally

» Working capital support to set the institution on a path to financial sustainability

Bursaries and Scholarships

» Funding to reduce barriers to entry for more students – especially local people

» Funding for targeted bursaries to support key under-represented groups to benefit them and employers (e.g. career changers, female applicants and military leavers)

» Support for current students to help deal with the cost of living and increase their chances of success

Curriculum Support and Employment Opportunities

» Provision of relevant “engineering challenges” to support the academic curriculum

» Work experience and project opportunities for NMITE students

» Join the Jobs Pledge - making conditional job offers to current students before they graduate

» Support student preparation for work - as NMITE builds its careers support service

NMITE is proud of its association with supporters and happy to co-brand its activities, projects and buildings with supporters.

Total investment needed£10 - £12m over 5 years

1/3 OPEX - £3 to £4m

» Working capital

» Investment in academic capacity –professorial posts, tutors

» Knowledge transfer activities

» Providing opportunities: bursaries, schools outreach

» New purpose-built education centre

» Automated manufacturing equipment

» New student accommodation

» A centre for student life: a hub for student clubs, societies, volunteering

» Development of Blackfriars site

2/3 CAPEX - £6 to £8m

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The contents of this document are accurate as of March 2023 and are subject to change. This is in response to funding changes, professional accreditation requirements, student or employer feedback, outcomes of reviews and variations in staff or student numbers.