Government launches £170 million competition to open new "institutes of technology"

Government plan to open institutes of technology to provide the high-level technical skills employers need

The UK government has launched a £170 million competition to establish new institutes of technology intended to provide the higher level technical skills that employers need.

Employers, educational organisations and training providers are now able to apply for a share of the £170 million scheme, which is intended to close the digital skills gap.

Applications opened on Friday. the scheme is specifically targeting employers, but also providers of higher and further education can also submit bids.

Justine Greening, the education secretary, first detailed the plans last month. These new institutes will bring together businesses and educational institutions to develop new strategies around science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) training.

The institutes will "deliver provision to learners that is highly sought after by employers in technical disciplines", according to the Department for Education. The government is looking to close the technology skills gap locally, regionally and nationally.

Institutes of technology are an important part of Justine Greening's skills reforms package, which she unveiled at the Department for Education's Skills Summit on 30 November.

The event saw education experts and some of the country's top employees come together to discuss challenges around training. The first institutes of technology are expected to open by 2019.

Greening said the competition enable the country's leading training organisations and employers to find ways that the growing digital skills gap can be closed.

"Institutes of technology will play a vital role driving our skills revolution with business and unlocking the potential of our country's young people through better technical education.

"By bridging the country's skills gaps, these new institutions will drive growth and widen opportunity.

In particular, the government is targeting young people. Greening added it's crucial that the government does more to support the tecghnologists of the future.

"This Government continues to invest in developing our homegrown talent so British business has the skills it needs and so that young people can get the opportunities they want," she said.