When asked to donate a ‘memory’ for this lovely and imaginative project, I chose to highlight 1850 and the formation of Pendleton Mechanics’ Institute.
Its purpose was to help shape the workforce of the future, as new industrial skills were in demand. Traditional jobs were changing and the population needed to respond quickly.
Times were exciting from an industrial perspective, but often challenging from a social and personal perspective with wellbeing, equalities and inclusive growth much lower on the agenda than they are today. However, the Pendleton Mechanics’ Institute was the start of value being placed on learning and skills. Classes were held in reading, writing, maths, mechanical drawing and (interestingly) gymnastics. The Institute opened to women, which was exceptional at the time. It quickly outgrew its premises and raised money to expand into new buildings.
Later, Pendleton Mechanic’s Institute became known as the Royal Technical Institute after a merger. It survived two world wars and subsequently became the University of Salford in 1967 when it was granted its Royal Charter.
While we have moved on from industrial to digital revolutions and a pace of change that would have been hard to imagine in 1850, we carry on with the core belief in enabling people to thrive with the latest skills and to contribute to an ever more inclusive and prosperous society.
Just as our forebears wanted to equip a new generation with skills to thrive in a rapidly changing world – so we wish to enrich lives today through education and training.
I am so happy to reflect that our roots run deep, they run strong, and now with 27,000 students, we continue to grow.