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Sheffield’s bid to develop a new University Technical College (UTC) has been approved to move to the pre-opening stage, according to a recent government announcement. The UTC aims to boost the skills of 14 - 19 year-olds entering advanced engineering and manufacturing. and other related fields.

The UTC is due to open to students in September 2013 with up to 600 places, and will focus on training young people in modern technical and vocational skills linked to local industry needs. It could receive up to £10 million of government funding.

Employers will influence all aspects of the UTC, particularly its curriculum content so that the training and education students receive is related to and supports local business needs. They will also provide work placements and projects, sponsorship opportunities and input into the design of the building. Staff will include trained teachers and those from technical backgrounds.

Employer partners supporting the UTC include; Firth Rixson Ltd, Newburgh Engineering, Tata Steel, the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre with Boeing, Kraft Foods, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, The Workshop, Sheffield International Venues, Learning Light and HSBC.

Andrew Cropley, Principal of Norton College and Peaks College, who led on the bid submission, said: “This is a very exciting development for Sheffield, which will bring significant investment into the city region and provide local companies, some of which are world class, with a real opportunity to further their success.”

He added: “They will be able to expand their workforce, where there are currently gaps, with suitably skilled people trained to meet their industry needs. Our young people will gain an alternative route into high quality professional careers with the potential to progress to higher education.”

Alison Bettac, Group HR/HSE Director at Firth Rixson Ltd, said: “This decision is a great result for manufacturers in the region. It will increase the prospects of obtaining skilled, qualified and talented young people, who have experience of our industry, through related employer led project work studied as part of their curriculum within the UTC.

“Using this resource of potential work ready candidates within our apprenticeship programme will help fast track our ‘Grow Our Own’ strategy to develop a high calibre workforce that will enable Firth Rixson to expand its capabilities in a number of areas within the business.”

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