Rural focused alternative UK ISP Quickline, which is building a gigabit-capable broadband network (full fibre and wireless) across parts of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire (England), has collaborated with the Lincolnshire Institute of Technology (LIoT) to help support 500 students through a bursary scheme (i.e. money will help with study, travel and additional childcare costs).
The bursary is intended to be used to support students from “underrepresented groups“, including mature students, parents, people from low-income families, people with a disability and people who were previously in care. Students who meet these criteria and are enrolled on level 4 and 5 courses will be eligible for the funds.
The bursary support for LIoT forms part of the social value commitment made by Quickline as part of its Project Gigabit contracts, one of which is their £118.9m roll-out contract for the East Riding of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire (Lot 23) area (here) – this will see their network reach 72,000 additional premises in hard-to-reach areas.
Quickline Communications joins LIoT’s two other employment partners, Bakkavor and United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust.
Julian Chalk, Head of Engagement and Enablement at Quickline, said:
“We’re very excited to be joining the Lincolnshire Institute of Technology and can’t wait to get stuck in with some exciting new projects.
Our whole ethos as a business revolves around accessibility – we connect rural communities that have been left behind by other providers and are on a mission to ensure that everyone has access to decent broadband, wherever they live.
Now, we’re channelling this focus on accessibility and inclusivity into our work with the Lincolnshire Institute of Technology, ensuring everyone has access to the education they need to thrive in a STEM career.”
Mick Lochran, Director of the LIoT, said:
“It’s a pleasure to welcome Quickline Communications to the Lincolnshire Institute of Technology and it’s fantastic to see the business’s commitment to making STEM education more accessible.
The bursary will help us to remove the barriers underrepresented groups face when enrolling for, attending and achieving higher-level technical qualifications and moving into employment.”
LIoT is a partnership between employers and nine education partners across the county – the University of Lincoln, University Campus North Lincolnshire, University Centre Grimsby, Boston College, Grantham College & University Centre, Lincoln College, Riseholme College, Lincoln UTC and Stamford College.
It is part of a national network of 21 IoTs, made up of experienced education providers and leading employers across England. Backed by £290 million of government investment, each IoT focuses on specialisms to suit their location, with the aim to fill immediate skills gaps while building a pipeline of talent for the future.