Advanced engineering and manufacturing college to open in South Tyneside

South Tyneside College is to open a “UK first” Career College specialising in Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering and Computer Science, set to open in September 2015.

The 14-19 Career College has been granted approval by the Career Colleges Trust with the aim to equip young people in the area to become the next generation of manufacturing engineers and computer specialists.

The South Tyneside project, Career College North East, is backed by several local and national employers in the region, including Ford Aerospace, Nine and Zenith Recruitment.

The College has also partnered with a local, school - St Wilfrid’s RC - to deliver the core academic subjects, in accordance with the National Curriculum.

Chairman of the Career Colleges Trust, Luke Johnson, says: “South Tyneside College has put forward a strong proposal. I am particularly encouraged to see the Career College brand extending to STEM specialisms.

“The advanced manufacturing and engineering industry in South Tyneside and the North East is growing. Career College North East will help ensure that any future skills gaps are filled and the area can continue to prosper.

“The partnerships with both an outstanding local school and key employers will ensure high quality provision in the core subject areas, along with relevant vocational training. This is exactly what Career Colleges are about and I support this concept wholeheartedly.

“I look forward to working with South Tyneside College in advance of its Career College opening in 2015. I am confident, that together with its partners, it will deliver outstanding, rounded education for its students.”

South Tyneside will join Oldham’s Digital and Creative Career College, Hugh Baird’s Hospitality and Catering Career College in Liverpool and Bromley’s Food, Enterprise and Hospitality Career College in South East London. These pioneering Colleges opened in September this year.

Alison Maynard, Principal, South Tyneside Professional and Vocational College, said: “Career College North East will uniquely bring together enterprise, business and education into one highly focused vocational pathway.

“With it will come great benefits to pupils who are clear about their future career direction, as they will gain access to the advanced training that will help them succeed.

“Jobs are being created in the North East through initiatives such as the City Deal which is creating the International Advanced Manufacturing Park on our doorstep. The Career College will play an important part in ensuring there are enough young people with the right skills to fill jobs such as those.”

Geoff Ford MBE, Chairman of Ford Aerospace Limited and Ford Component Manufacturing Limited, said: “I am very passionate about opportunities being created for young people to enter engineering and manufacturing, and it is great to see two such excellent educational establishments coming together in this way.

Career Colleges, launched by Lord Baker in October 2013, are a new innovation in employer-led education.

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