Innovation and Skills
Working with local businesses to identify skills gap, and then provide courses that address those gaps, is critical to the success of Daedalus.
The Solent LEP utilised £8m from the Solent Growing Places Fund to lever an infrastructure package valued at over £15m, with additional investment secured from Hampshire County Council and the Government’s Regional Growth Fund to bring about this major regeneration of an ex-military airfield covering 200 hectares into productive use.
An advanced engineering college, the Centre of Excellence for Advanced Manufacturing Skills Training (CEMAST) was opened by Fareham College in September 2014 supported by loan funding from Solent LEP and Hampshire County Council grant. It provides over 1000 employer-orientated training places for students in aviation, marine, vehicle and electronic engineering. The College, rated OFSTED ‘outstanding’ was 2018 FE College of the Year Partnerships with organisations to meet skills gap.
Centre of Excellence for Advanced Manufacturing Skills Training (CEMAST) opened a new training centre for civil engineering and ground working skills, CETC. This was supported by a £2.8m Local Growth Deal grant and has been created alongside a consortium of local civil engineering employers to ensure strong links with the private sector.
Offering a range of flexible office space and workshops, the Innovation Centre has been welcoming and supporting businesses since 2015.
The Innovation Centre also offers conference and meeting room facilities for both its occupiers and other businesses.
Its upper floor Bridge Conference Centre can accommodate up to 50 people theatre style with the space also sub-dividable into two smaller rooms. It also has an outdoor terrace with expansive views across Solent Airport.
Further smaller meeting room space suitable for 2 to 12 people is also available for hire on the ground floor.
Tenants at the Innovation Centre can access tailored on-site business support from centre staff, including the Innovation Director.
All businesses at Daedalus can access advice and support from the Solent Growth Hub, a service provided by the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership.
Proximity to CMAST, Fareham Innovation Centre, CETC and local technical schools provides a strong pipeline for the next generation of highly skilled talent.
There are a number of T-Level students working for businesses at Daedalus and both CEMAST and CETC have young people graduating every year. This ensure the continuing feed of new talent into the business community and providing a potential source of local apprenticeships to help Daedalus business grow.
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