Tue 11th October, 2011
The University of Bedfordshire has welcomed the Government’s decision to approve Central Bedfordshire University Technical College for funding.
Central Bedfordshire UTC, due to open in 2012, will be sponsored by the University in partnership with Central Bedfordshire College and a range of local companies and will specialise in Product Design.
Responding to the announcement Vice Chancellor Professor Les Ebdon CBE DL said: “We are delighted to be associated with the new UTC at Central Bedfordshire College. We have been partnering with the college, together with a range of local companies, to provide the highly-skilled technicians and engineers needed to foster economic growth in our locality.”
Central Bedfordshire is one of 13 successful applications across the country to be been given the go-ahead for funding.
Chair of Governors at Central Bedfordshire College Professor James Crabbe said: “I am really excited that Central Bedfordshire College has been awarded this accolade. A University Technical College will offer key vocational and other skills to a new cohort of students in our region. It will address an important issue in tertiary education that has been lacking for decades. This constitutes a breakthrough in collaborative education that builds on the major strides in quality that have been made by Central Bedfordshire College.'
For the past three years, the Baker Dearing Educational Trust (BDT) has been working with the Department for Education, local employers, universities and further education colleges to develop a national network of UTCs. The Government has pledged to increase the number to 24.
Lord Kenneth Baker, co-founder of BDT, said: “The Central Bedfordshire UTC approved today has been developed by people with passion and vision. Thanks to them, thousands of young people will have the chance to combine outstanding hands-on learning with an excellent academic education, leading to unrivalled career opportunities. We look forward to taking this project forward.”
UTCs are a new concept in education. They are free standing colleges for 600 - 800 14 to 19 year old students with a working day of 8:30am - 5:30pm, where technical and academic education is integrated. Practical work is valued as highly as academic study.
Each will provide at least one technical specialism alongside the key GCSEs in English, maths and science, as well as a foreign language, humanities, finance, business, entrepreneurial and employability skills.
All UTCs are supported by a University and very often an FE college. Local employers help to shape the curriculum and relate it to future jobs that match the needs of the local economy. Students in turn acquire the skills and knowledge employers are looking for.
Latest news» 2011» October» Bedfordshire welcomes Government go-ahead for University Technical College
