College’s IoT Officially Opens with MP’s Ribbon Cutting

Dr Peacock began the event with a speach praising this IoT as the next step in the storied history of Stonebridge House, one that will see it become a beacon of innovation and higher education. He also made note of the beautiful works of art now on display in the building, created by the College’s level 4 and 5 art and design students, who worked to a brief of ‘Technology and Sustainability’.

Chair of govenors George Brewis spoke next, making known his and the other govenors appreciation off all those involved who turned this idea into reality. The IoT was developed and built in a difficult time and was delivered almost exactly on time and to budget, no simple task. He also stated, “[This] is just the start.”

Finally MP Gareth Davies addressed the gathered crowd, saying how proud he is to have Grantham College in this constituency, that it keeps going from strength to strength, and that the skills developed at the IoT will be key to driving the country forward. The ribbon was then cut and the IoT was officially open!

As some of you may know, the IoT has actually been open and serving students since November 2021, and has already gained some recognition for its high standard of teaching, with Rebecca Hollamby of the City and Guilds organisation attending the event to present the college and the centre with an ‘Excellence in Engineering’ plaque, recognising the colleges high pass rate and number of distinctions on our Maintainance and Operations Engineering Technicians course for apprentices, an achievement the IoT has been critical in achieving.

The event continued with tours of the institute and its cutting-edge facilities, where staff and students were able to demonstrate some of the amazing technology the IoT put them in contact with on a daily basis. The Institute’s current specialty is VR technologies, and attendee’s witnessed some amazing VR walkthroughs of the college produced by Digital Marketing and Computing students as part of a real life brief.

Engineering demonstrated amazing miniature sorting systems, that use a series of sensors to physically sort items as they travel along a conveyor belt. The robot arm also got an opportunity to impress, demonstrating the work students have done to allow it to sort objects onto pallets by shape and colour, using IR sensors.

The event was catered by the College’s own Apple Tree – a restaurant operated on campus, providing training for the college’s catering students. These students produced and served a wide arrange of delicious canapes. The quality, attention to detail and professional service was greatly appreciated and certainly added to the events success.

We here at the College would like to thank eveyone who attended the event, it was amazing for us to be able to share in this moment with you all. Our employers, who provide work experience opportunities and/or apprenticehsip placements, are a key part of the College’s and our students’ success. Without their assistance we would not be able to support and train the next generation of skilled workers, who will greatly benefit the industries they enter through their hard work, innovation and skills.