Macclesfield College

Macclesfield College Digital Skills Hub

Macclesfield College

The digital sector's important contribution to the economy is widely recognised. It is not only significant, but also disrupting traditional business models and providing support for other key industries in enabling them to be increasingly innovative and productive. The project intends to provide new opportunities to engage businesses and individuals in digital skills.   It will focus on providing a range of learners, employers and businesses with programmes that will help to increase digital and STEM-related skills within the region.

In response to both national and regional feedback from businesses, and to achieve success for employers within Cheshire, the College's Digital Skills Hub will provide opportunities for a range of skills development and expertise. The project is split into five areas: agile project management; UX/UI user experience and user interface design; cyber-security; coding; and robotics. It will be for mixed use by both learners within an education setting and from businesses across the region, but will also include a mobile element which will prioritise the development of foundation skills that will underpin all essential digital skills. 

The digital enhancements and programmes that will be offered and supported by the Hub will contribute towards the wider objective of linking the areas' digital capabilities to drive digital developments in key sectors across the economy. Through close collaboration with employers, the Hub will deliver more relevant and job-related training befitting the skills requirements. The Hub will also develop an outreach programme and community-based offer.

Geographical area

Macclesfield College Digital Hub will be based in a medium-sized college in a semi-rural area serving rural, semi-rural and urban localities. The project will impact upon learners, employers and businesses within a wide geographical span: from Macclesfield to Crewe and across to Poynton. Areas between these points will include Congleton, Holmes Chapel, Sandbach, Wilmslow, Knutsford, Alderly Edge, Adlington, Bollington, Mottram St Andrew, and Macclesfield. 

The mobile element of the project will allow the movement of portable digital devises such as tablets (graphic and android), laptops, and android phones around a wide area.

Technologies / Equipment

The project is investing in a range of equipment, most notably the following:

• Tablets
• Document Visualisers
• Servers
• Digital Skills Cloud Infrastructure
• Computers and Monitors
• Laser cutter
• Resin 3D printer
• CNC machines
• PCB Milling machine
• Electronic assembly equipment stations

Skills being developed

The following skills will be developed:

• Small, bite-sized programmes for introductory digital skills
• Agile project management skills development
• Developing user experience
• Interface design
• Coding
• Cyber-security
• Wider robotics skills
• Electronics
• Wider digital manufacturing

Contact: Lucy Reed

Lucy.reed@macclesfield.ac.uk