It has been an incredible few months here at the Devon Chamber of Commerce, following the merger of the Devon & Plymouth and Exeter Chambers uniting to create one new umbrella business organisation.
Now, our Chamber Family has become even stronger by the news that South Devon College has stepped up to become a Patron.
The Patronage was officially unveiled during our December County Conversations event, which was hosted by the College.
South Devon College has been at the heart of the Torbay community since its early days as Torquay Tech, and has seen substantial changes, growth and investment over the years, establishing it as one of the top Further Education Colleges in England.
With a mission to ‘inspire our community through learning’, the College and University Centre offers a wide-ranging curriculum within its state-of-the-art industry-standard facilities, plus training and personalised short courses, often fully funded, to rectify the skills shortage in local growth sectors.
Mirroring the exciting developments for our own organisation over the last 12 months, 2024 has also been a year of achievements for South Devon College.
In June, the College was awarded the highest possible rating of ‘Strong’ for Skills by Ofsted (in addition to an ‘outstanding’ rating for education programmes for young people).
This demonstrates that the College is actively meeting local skills needs with its responsive and collaborative approach to curriculum design. Businesses can take advantage of the world-class training facilities right here in Torbay to upskill their workforce to keep at the forefront of sector advances.
It has been an exceptionally busy year, and the College is delighted to unveil several cutting-edge facilities that are now or will soon be available for training your employees.
Marine Bridge Simulator at South Devon College Marine Academy
The College’s Vessel Simulation Suite at Noss Marina features an advanced REMBRANDT ship simulator, offering accredited and bespoke training in vessel navigation and handling to address future marine industry needs. Local employers can test the facilities in the New Year, with commercial courses starting in spring.
Cyber Security
With Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF) support, the College is launching a Cyber Resilience Simulation Suite to help businesses tackle cyber threats. Organisations can safely simulate attacks and test response strategies, including scenarios like malware, hacking, and phishing. Specialist training for all sectors begins January 2025, including short courses, hands-on sessions, and online options.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Training
LSIF funding has enabled investment in electric vehicle diagnostic equipment to train professionals in high-demand EV technologies. Courses cover high-voltage systems, battery management, and repairs, with some leading to IMI professional registration. Training is designed for technicians, engineers, and first responders.
Green Skills and Energy Centre
The College, named Sustainability Institution of the Year, has secured £1.5 million to expand its South West Energy Centre (SWEC). Opening by March 2025, the centre will focus on green skills and energy technologies, including heat pumps and EV charger installation, using state-of-the-art equipment and curricula.
UK Shared Prosperity Fund
South Devon College is using Torbay’s £1.76 million UK Shared Prosperity Fund to provide free training in key growth industries such as EV technology, solar skills, healthcare, tourism, and digital. These courses aim to upskill the local workforce and support career progression.
Laurence Frewin, Principal and CEO of South Devon College, said: “It’s been an incredibly busy year of investment and growth here at the College, and we are constantly expanding our provisions and upgrading our facilities aligned with local skills needs.
“All these College facilities, including new courses in development, are accessible to local businesses for staff training, leading to business growth and a highly skilled local workforce.
“We are very keen to expand our Devon Chamber collaboration and work closely with the team and local employers to ensure businesses and residents are equipped with vital skills for the future.”
Chamber Chief Executive Stuart Elford added: “We are thrilled to welcome South Devon College as a Patron of the Devon Chamber of Commerce. Their commitment to fostering skills development and economic growth aligns perfectly with our mission to support businesses and communities across Devon.
“The College’s investment in cutting-edge facilities and its focus on addressing local skills shortages demonstrates a proactive approach to meeting the needs of our region. By becoming a Patron, South Devon College strengthens its role as a cornerstone of the Torbay community and a key driver of innovation and opportunity across the county.
“This partnership exemplifies the collaborative spirit we aim to cultivate within our Chamber Family, and we look forward to working together to support businesses in navigating future challenges and opportunities.”
