Location revealed for Doncaster’s upcoming University Technical College

Doncaster Council has settled on a location for the town’s new University Technical College (UTC).

The facility, due to open in 2020, will occupy the site of the former Council House in Doncaster’s burgeoning Civic and Cultural Quarter.

The decision was reached today (July 31) by Mayor Ros Jones and her Cabinet. It will see the council contribute the land required for the UTC scheme.

Doncaster Chamber will lead the development, which recently secured government backing.

The UTC will offer STEM courses for 13 to 18 year olds and work closely with the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University, as well as industry partners and local employers, to strengthen the curriculum with project-based work.

Mayor Ros Jones said: “The Doncaster UTC is part of our ambitious plans to transform education across the borough and help our young people find the right academic and vocational route so they make the most of their talents and gain rewarding and successful jobs.

“It complements our Social Mobility Opportunity Area (SMOA) and Post 16 Review plans by providing a centrally based educational facility which young people from all across our borough can easily get to.”

She continued: “Its hands-on learning approach and engineering and digital design focus also fits in well with the National College for High Speed Rail. Young people are our future so it is only right that we contribute the site to make this UTC a reality.

“When we invest in people to develop their skills and capabilities, we all benefit from a stronger economy and society.”

Doncaster Chamber chief exec Dan Fell commented: “From day one, the UTC Project Group – which I am privileged to chair – has been determined to locate the new learning institution on a high quality site in Doncaster’s town centre.

“This is for two reasons; firstly, it is important that the UTC can be accessed by young people from all of Doncaster’s communities. Being located in the centre of Doncaster and close to public transport links helps us achieve this.”

He continued: “Secondly, it is vitally important that people recognise that vocational education is extremely valuable and leads to high quality and well paid jobs in industry, a prestigious town centre location helps to convey that message.”

Speaking further, Dan said the UTC serves as “yet another reminder that public-private partnerships are working here in Doncaster”, adding: “I look forwards to working closely with a range of business leaders and partners to open the UTC in September 2020.”