The first batch of flagship Institutes of Technology have been hailed after recruitment data obtained by FE Week showed they are off to a “flying start”.

Twelve IoTs backed with £170 million of capital cash have launched since 2019, racking up more than 17,000 starts between them – 95 per cent of their combined target.

Four of the establishments – collaborations between colleges, universities and employers that specialise in higher technical training – have exceeded their own targets: two hit 90 per cent or above, with the remainder not far behind.

Tameside College has been confirmed as a core further education partner in the Greater Manchester Institute of Technology which brings together a number of colleges and employers in the city region and will specialise in construction, engineering, and digital skills.  Read more about it here