COLLEGE OPENS IN STYLE
Grand unveiling for new £14m cutting-edge facility
The dawn has broken over a new age of education in Scarborough.
On Monday the town’s new £14 million University Technical College opened its doors for the first time at Weaponness.
Scarborough University Technical College is funded by the Department for Education so is open to all students aged 14-18. It is part of a £47 million development combining Coventry University and a sports village at Weaponness. The University of Hull is the lead education partner.
The UTC is also supported by international businesses such as McCain, Unison Ltd, Scarborough Borough Council, Castle, Dale Power Solutions, Deep Sea Electronics, Firmac, GCHQ, Plaxton (ADL), Schneider Electric Ltd, Severfield, SWC Trade Frames and York Potash.
The UTC offers the normal full range of academic school subjects and qualifications but also offers extra career-based opportunities in technology, engineering and science.
Peter Wilkinson, chairman of the board of governors for the UTC, said: “Scarborough University Technical College offers young people a ‘dream ticket career-based education in 21st Century engineering
“On graduation at 18/19 years of age they will have the oppor- tunity to become an engineering apprentice or continue to university.
“Almost 100 per cent of all UTC students are employed in industry, with 42 per cent of students graduating from university.
“The Scarborough UTC team and staff have excelled in their desire to open a Scarborough-based UTC which is a paradigm shift in career-based education both locally and regionally. In time it will attract investment to the town and pro- vide the young talent we need to cope with that investment in business
“I’m so proud to be part of a great and rewarding team. “
Scarborough MP Robert Goodwill welcomed the town’s new additions.
He said: “It is a very exciting time to be in education in Scarborough.
“It is the biggest change for a number of years and will also, I’m sure, see the existing providers up their game to keep pace. “I know Yorkshire Coast College have some exciting plans going forward. I think what stands out about the UTC is that there are so many different businesses involved, with some you see they are backed by just the one but there really is a range of options open to the students who will attend.”
Coventry University, based next to the UTC, will be hosting its first open day for prospective students on September 24 from 10am to 2pm.
The new sports village with a soccer stadium is also nearby.