Mark Gibson, Director, Yorkshire & Humber Institute of Technology
Photos: Yorkshire & Humber Institute of Technology
As we approach the end of 2024, there’s no doubt that many people will soon start to think about their New Year’s Resolutions and the steps they need to take to achieve them.
Every year, the prospect of “New Year, New Job” is a common theme. 53% of people say the New Year represents a new start when it comes to work, and 22% said they wanted to kickstart 2024 with a new job, according to a survey by Michael Page.
With this in mind, many people across the Yorkshire and Humber region are probably considering a new job in 2025 - and this may even involve a total career change.
When you’re changing career, it’s better to hit the ground running, armed with the skills and knowledge that your industry of choice wants, right from the start. There is a huge gap between the skills modern industry needs and the number of people with that expertise, especially in our region.
This is where the Yorkshire & Humber Institute of Technology and our partners can give you a big advantage.
Photos: Yorkshire & Humber Institute of Technology
Increase your employability
Science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) play a critical role in today’s world and influence nearly every aspect of our lives. Whether it’s tech, healthcare, manufacturing or creative, almost every industry is connected to STEM, whether directly or through other elements like their supply chains.
With this in mind, learning STEM skills will give you great job prospects because they are at the core of modern innovation. Not only will having these skills open up exciting and diverse career paths, but they will also give you a stronger earning potential.
Our region has a strong industrial and cultural heritage with existing clusters of innovation and technological advancement. Key sectors such as construction, immersive technology, manufacturing, biotech and agritech are essential to the region’s economy - and as they grow, so does their demand for a skilled workforce.
At the Yorkshire & Humber Institute of Technology, we work with seven education providers across the region to offer learners an array of tech-focused education opportunities that are relevant to the region’s fast-growing industries.
Our education providers include York College & University Centre, Selby College, Askham Bryan College, Bishop Burton College, Craven College, East Riding College and Scarborough TEC.
Each provider offers courses in subjects including agriculture, digital, engineering & construction and horticulture & animal care, as well as other tech-related subjects like transport, creative, manufacturing, automotive and food & drink.
They can also provide career guidance to help you understand what qualifications you’ll need for your new career. There are lots of different Institute of Technology courses available for learners of all levels including apprenticeships, Higher National Certificates (HNCs), Higher National Diplomas (HNDs), T-Levels, foundation degrees and full degrees.
Photos: Yorkshire & Humber Institute of Technology
Career change at any stage of life
People opting for a career change later in life can find it difficult to juggle all their responsibilities at the same time as studying - whether this is shift work, other employment or caring for family members. You may think that all these other commitments make studying a further education course impossible, but you’ll be surprised how flexible it can be.
If you choose to study a Yorkshire & Humber Institute of Technology course, you’ll find that flexibility is key and courses have tailored programmes to ensure everyone’s education journey supports their individual circumstances.
Our education partners offer full-time and part-time courses, as well as online learning, to improve access. What’s more, for many of our qualifications, individual units can be studied in isolation, which is useful if you don’t require the full qualification but specific units would meet your needs.
One student. I did my degree part-time when I had two children under the age of five years and I worked part-time. It was hard work but as an adult I really enjoyed it, I think I valued it more than if I had been younger. It increased my confidence and it led me back into better paid employment.
So no matter what stage of life you’re at and what STEM subject you’re interested in, we can help with your career change. Visit www.yhiot.ac.uk to find out more about our courses and education providers.