The Baker Dearing Educational Trust has announced that the second annual #thinkUTC week will take place from 17 to 21 November 2025, highlighting the University Technical Colleges (UTC) programme’s growing collaboration with industry and its distinctive educational achievements.
The week-long celebration will feature a packed schedule of events and announcements, including the launch of a new national UTC alumni board and a strategic partnership with civil engineering company Morgan Sindall Infrastructure. A major highlight is the creation of the alumni board, composed of nine former students from across the country representing a range of industrial sectors. The board aims to build a unified alumni community and provide insights to improve the experience of current and future UTC learners. Lucie Gresham-Hill, chair of the new alumni board, described the launch as “a real privilege” and emphasised the board’s role in unifying UTC graduates while showcasing the transformative impact of a UTC education across industries.
In another key development, Baker Dearing is launching a national partnership with Morgan Sindall Infrastructure. The collaboration will expand the company’s existing engagement with UTCs and further integrate employer insights into the delivery of technical education. Simon Smith, Managing Director of Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, highlighted the long-standing collaboration with UTCs and said the new partnership would strengthen the pipeline of future employees while benefiting the communities in which the company operates.
Baker Dearing is also working with the Education and Training Foundation (ETF) on the “Bridging the Gap” initiative, designed to foster understanding between education and industry. The programme supports UTC staff in enhancing the delivery of T Levels, the UK’s gold-standard technical qualifications.
Staff, students, and employer partners are being encouraged to participate in #thinkUTC week by submitting videos, photos, and case studies showcasing what makes their UTC unique—from employer partnerships and facilities to teaching approaches and proximity to industry. Last year’s campaign saw widespread engagement through the ‘think UTC, think…’ initiative, which captured the first impressions of students, staff, and employers.
As the UK faces growing demand for skilled technical talent, the UTC programme offers a distinctive approach, combining rigorous academic and technical study with direct employer engagement from day one. UTCs provide clear pathways into apprenticeships, higher education, or employment, aligning education with industry needs. Kate Ambrosi, Chief Executive of Baker Dearing, said the week “celebrates high-quality technical education rooted in employer partnership” and underlined the importance of the Trust’s collaborations with ETF and Morgan Sindall in strengthening the national programme. She also highlighted UTCs’ strong performance, noting that a third of UTCs are rated ‘outstanding’ or have outstanding features by Ofsted, and 86 per cent are ‘good’ or better. Ambrosi added that UTCs’ exemption from the national curriculum ensures continued delivery of skills aligned with employer requirements and sustainable high-paying careers.
#thinkUTC week is set to reinforce the programme’s reputation as a leading model of employer-led technical education, providing young people with the skills and experience needed for success in the modern workforce.
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