Quickline is empowering over 500 underrepresented students in Lincolnshire with the skills they need to thrive in science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) fields.
As the newest employment partner of the Lincolnshire Institute of Technology (LIoT), the rural broadband provider is sponsoring a dedicated bursary to support students across the county’s colleges and universities. This partnership reflects Quickline’s mission to create opportunities and break down barriers for those often overlooked in traditional education pathways.
The bursary, funded by Quickline, aims to make STEM education more accessible by supporting mature students, parents, individuals from low-income families, those with disabilities, and former care leavers. Eligible students enrolled in level 4 and 5 courses can use the funds to cover study materials, travel, and additional childcare costs, easing financial pressures and allowing them to focus on their education.
Mick Lochran, Director of the LIoT, welcomed Quickline’s involvement:
“It’s fantastic to have Quickline Communications join us as an employment partner. Their commitment to accessibility and inclusivity will play a vital role in helping underrepresented groups overcome the barriers to achieving higher-level technical qualifications and entering the workforce.”
Quickline’s Head of Engagement and Enablement, Julian Chalk, echoed this sentiment:
“We’re thrilled to partner with the Lincolnshire Institute of Technology and bring our ethos of accessibility into the realm of education. Just as we connect rural communities left behind by other providers, we want to ensure every aspiring STEM professional has access to the tools they need to succeed. This partnership is a natural extension of our commitment to inclusivity and social value.”
This initiative is part of Quickline’s broader social value commitment under its four government-awarded Project Gigabit contracts. These contracts cover Yorkshire and most of Lincolnshire, aiming to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to 170,000 hard-to-reach premises. The programme targets areas not included in commercial broadband rollout plans, ensuring no community is left behind in the digital age.
The LIoT partnership also aligns Quickline with other prominent organisations, including Bakkavor and United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, as they collaborate to address regional skills gaps.
The Lincolnshire Institute of Technology is a network of education providers and employers across the county, backed by £290 million in government funding. As part of a national initiative of 21 IoTs, LIoT specialises in equipping learners with the technical skills needed to fill immediate gaps in the workforce while building a talent pipeline for the future.
Quickline’s involvement represents a step forward for both the education and connectivity landscapes in Lincolnshire, bringing meaningful opportunities to the region’s underserved communities.
