From Cumbria to Cambridge, a further 13 new University Technical Colleges opened their doors to students in September.
This brings the total number of UTCs open in the UK to 30, with 20 more planned to open by 2016. Among the UTCs that opened last month were institutions based in Norfolk, Watford, Lincoln (pictured), Dagenham (Elutec), Cumbria (Energy Coast) and Harlow (Sir Charles Kao). The new UTCs specialise in vocational education for students aged 14-19 in fields such as aviation engineering, computer science, sustainable engineering, construction, environmental science, advanced engineering and digital media.
"I am delighted to see a further 13 UTCs opening
taking the number of UTCs open to 30", said Lord Baker, Chairman of the Baker Dearing Educational Trust, last month. "These innovative schools produce highly skilled young people who are desperately needed to further the
economic growth of our country."
"The UTC movement is expanding rapidly with the backing of the
government and industry support. Of all the new schools opening in
England only UTCs specifically aim to fill the skills gaps of our
economy. We want to see as many UTCs as there were grammar schools at
their peak.”
Rapid has been very active over the last few weeks at
recruitment events for future UTCs across the country, such as Bolton, Peterborough, South Wiltshire and Humber. Our stand will have been unmistakable as it is manned by the NAO humanoid robot, who does such a brilliant job engaging with potential students. Find out where we will be next by following
Rapid's NAO robot on Twitter.
http://www.utcolleges.org