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Business-linked Technical Colleges to open within two years

Fifteen new University Technical Colleges linked to the likes of Jaguar Land Rover, British Airways Virgin Atlantic are set to open in the next two years.

Around 200 local and national employers are linked with the scheme which will also have significant input from universities such as Cambridge and Warwick.

The Colleges range from a UTC specialising in aviation engineering, located close to London Heathrow, through to one in Warwick, that will focus on business-led education, and one at the new MediaCityUK in Salford.

UTC’s aim to create opportunities for more than 20,000 young people to train as the engineers and scientists of the future, playing a crucial role in the UK’s long-term economic growth.

Schools Minister Lord Hill said: “I am very pleased to be announcing another wave of strong UTC proposals.

“Right around the country there is a lot of enthusiasm from employers, universities, pupils and parents for high quality rigorous technical education.

“They provide more choice for children as well as helping provide the kind of highly skilled technicians our economy needs. The response from employers to UTCs speaks for itself.”

The UTCs are Academies for 14-19-year-olds, and pupils choose to attend from 14 or 16.

Each has one or two specialism, ranging from engineering, to manufacturing, to construction or bio-medical sciences.

The involvement of universities and employers means that students benefit from work placements, guest speakers and a curriculum designed by experts in the field.

Many will run longer term times and operate business hours to help prepare students for the world work.

Two UTCs are already open, including the JCB Academy in Staffordshire, and the Black Country UTC in Walsall.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .