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New technology encourages construction students
20/04/2009
Students at colleges across the region are being encouraged to take higher qualifications because of their access to new technology.
Derby College, construction student, Fern Cordner, 17, who has just been given an award by the college, says being able to use the latest equipment has boosted her plans for further education. Fern now has plans to complete her National Diploma in Construction, to progress to the HND and then onto Birmingham School of Architecture. Whilst on the course, Fern has been able to use the latest surveying instruments and CAD facilities purchased with match funding from the East Midlands New Technology Initiative (NTI).
She said: “It is really important to be able to use the right equipment as it prepares us for getting a good job. I expect to be studying for almost seven years in total and am really enjoying the course. I am only at the beginning of my learning but think it’s important to have new technology available.”
Fern also won an award last year when she attended College part time on the Pre-16 Construction Academy whilst still a GCSE student at Murray Park School in Mickleover.
East Midlands NTI is an initiative backed by the region’s leading colleges and universities. NTI provides matched funded grants for small and medium sized firms to invest in state of the art technology, and gain advanced technology skills through NTI approved courses. It also provides funding to colleges and universities to help purchase new technology for students and local businesses to use. It is funded by the East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).
Derby College’s Vice Principal, Steve Logan, said: “It is essential for our students to have access to the latest technology and equipment being used in the workplace so that they have the skills that will make them valuable to future employers. East Midlands NTI has helped us to remain at the forefront of these technologies and has provided funding for valuable resources used on all of our construction and civil engineering courses up to HNC and Foundation Degree level.”