Solent LEP skills project is ‘exceptionally high quality’ according to latest inspection

The £6m investment from Solent LEP in Fareham College’s CEMAST (Centre of Excellence in Engineering, Manufacturing and Advanced Skills Training) was singled out for specific praise in the college’s most recent inspection by OFSTED.

Specialising in STEM skills, CEMAST trains over 900 learners, apprentices, and employees each year to support local companies in the development of new engineering and manufacturing solutions. Since 2014, CEMAST has been the main training centre for students in apprenticeship programmes with BAE Systems, GE Aviation, Virgin Atlantic, Coopervision, Burgess Marine and Jensen Motorsport.

The OFSTED report stated that “employers value highly the quality of training their apprentices and employees receive” and that “apprentices benefit from excellent, high quality resources that exceed industry requirements”.

Gary Jeffries, Chairman of the Solent LEP said:

“I am very proud of the LEPs £6m investment in CEMAST. It is an exceptional facility that is delivering for local employers and helping students get the skills they need to succeed. This inspection report is a resounding endorsement of our decision to back CEMAST because it is making a real difference to the Solent region.”

Fareham College’s Principal, Nigel Duncan said:

“We are absolutely thrilled with the outstanding OFSTED result. Our dedicated team of academic and support staff worked incredibly hard to ensure we are driving the best technical and professional education in the south.”

CEMAST was the first major skills capital investment delivery by a Local Enterprise Partnership in England.