Employers are being urged to throw their weight behind the bid for a second university technical college specialising in sports and life sciences in Sheffield.
Businesses and organisations with an interest in the sports, health and life sciences industries are invited to attend a consultation event on Monday July 29th from 8.30am to 12.30pm at Peaks College, Waterthorpe Greenway, Sheffield S20 8LY. For more information or to book a place email [email protected] or call 0114 260 3631.
At the consultation, employers will find out how they can benefit from, and get involved in, backing the bid to launch a second UTC for 14 to 19-year-olds in the city. They will be invited to help shape the educational experiences and skills profile of the students that would train at the UTC. The second UTC could be located in the Don Valley.
Under government rules, the UTC submission has to be made by a sponsor. Last month, Sheffield City Council announced that The Sheffield College had been chosen as the lead sponsor for the project. The college, which will work with other local education institutions, will submit a bid by October 2013 as part of a national competitive process for UTC applications carried out by the Department of Education.
Andrew Cropley, Executive Director of Strategic Planning and Business Development, The Sheffield College, who is leading on the project, said: “We are committed to providing the qualifications and jobs training that young people and regional businesses need."
He added: "A second UTC has the potential to bring significant investment into the city region. Support from regional employers is crucial to its success and we would urge local businesses in the sports and life sciences sectors to get involved."
UTCs offer young people the chance to gain academic qualifications as well as technical expertise and skills. The curriculum is designed to train young people in the skills that local and regional employers need to accelerate business growth. Employers are heavily involved in designing and delivering the curriculum including providing work-based projects and placements.
The Sheffield College was chosen as the lead sponsor of a bid for a second UTC following its successful launch of the city's first UTC Sheffield on Shoreham Street, which is opening this September and specialising in advanced engineering and manufacturing, and the creative and digital media industries.
