Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership is working with local business partners to consider the potential for a new University Technical College (UTC) in Worcestershire.
UTCs are government-funded colleges for 14 to 19 year olds that offer a different technical focus and specialism on science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). UTCs are smaller than traditional secondary schools, are not academically selective and charge no fees.
The Worcestershire LEP has considered the potential of developing the UTC into a recognised Centre of Excellence, as well as the added benefits and skills that a new UTC would bring to the growing number of apprentices in the County and to those looking to continue their studies at University. A new University Technical College would provide greater opportunity for the County’s younger generation of workers looking to enter a career in STEM areas and would boost the County’s highest growth sectors of advanced manufacturing, IT, cyber security and defence and agri-tech.
Five local businesses have been involved in the project and have been supporting the development of Worcestershire’s funding bid by identifying the needs of their future workforce. Worcester Bosch, Malvern Instruments, Morgan Motor Cars, Yamazaki Mazak and QinetiQ are all supporting the UTC and hope that it will allow students to get a hands-on learning experience and expand their skills in areas which will be needed in the future.
Feasibility studies into the potential of a new UTC in Worcestershire are currently ongoing and a decision on whether Worcestershire will propose a bid will be made shortly after.
Gary Woodman, Executive Director of the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership said, “The Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership is committed to engaging with local schools to ensure that the County is developing the required skills for the benefit our local businesses and future workforce. Businesses could be involved with a UTC in a variety of ways – from offering hands-on work experience placements to guest lecturing, mentoring or helping to develop a curriculum to up-skill and shape their future workforce.”
For more information on the UTC for parents and carers, click here, and for more information on the UTC for local businesses, click here.
Information and updates can also be found on Facebook by searching UTC Worcestershire or on Twitter @UTCworcs