Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) and the South Yorkshire Institute of Technology (SYIoT) – What does it all mean?

Backed by more than £21m in funding from the Department for Education, the establishment of SYIoT in South Yorkshire marks a significant milestone for the region, kite marking the high-quality, higher-level technical education and training provision in the region.

One of only 21 IoTs nationally, the launch marks a major investment and recognition of the region’s Higher Education providers and a powerful collaboration of educators and employers from across the region committed to delivering higher-level technical education to invest in people and help close skills gaps in key areas.

With the pace of change and emerging technologies, the investment in South Yorkshire will ensure that education providers have access to facilities and equipment that can support them to prepare and develop individuals with skills that meet employer’s needs.

IoTs are partnerships of employers and education providers. SYIoT is supported by core employers of HLM Architects, AESSEAL Plc and Pendo.

SYIoT already works with over 5000 employers in the region but a key focus will be extending the reach, particularly to small and medium sized businesses.

The sector focus for SYIoT are the technical sectors of engineering and manufacturing, digital, construction and the built environment, health, science and media and communications.

Qualifications and courses are designed and delivered with local and national employers. This gives students – of all ages and backgrounds – the practical skills and technical knowledge they need to stand out in the job market and provides employers with the reassurance that the training their staff receive can be applied to their business.

Specialising in Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs), professional training and higher and degree apprenticeships, the investment in facilities and cutting-edge equipment is focused on widening opportunities in Higher Education. The courses and qualifications on offer, including bite-size programmes, ensure that individuals should be able to access Higher Education to enable them to enter or re-enter employment, or upskill to support their progression within employment.

Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs)

HTQs are technical qualifications that employers have helped develop so adults can get the right training and skills needed to succeed at work.

Businesses can benefit from offering HTQs to existing employees to support employees to upskill, retrain and improve their skills, create an environment that promotes learning and development and makes business more competitive.

Businesses can also recruit specialist and skilled individuals that already have HTQs.

HTQs are eligible for the same student finance offer as a degree, but businesses can choose to pay for HTQs for your current employees.

SYIoT offers flexible and affordable qualifications to adults of all ages, and in 2025 the costs of programmes may be supported by the new Lifelong Learning Entitlement as well as current funding streams. For employers, alongside funding support for apprenticeships, education partners can advise on any other funding available, including the Skills Bank.

The RNN Group offers courses at the University Centre Rotherham aligned to the SYIoT’s aims including HNDs, HNCs and HTQs, the full list of courses can be found here.

For more information or to find out more, visit our website, or email ucr@rotherham.ac.uk