A host of top manufacturers including Jaguar Land Rover, Unilever and Bosch have backed the announcement of seven new University Technical Colleges across the country.
Announced by the government, the seven colleges include institutions in Leeds, South Durham and Crewe specialising in manufacturing.
The WMG Academy for Young Engineers in Solihull will specialise in Engineering, alongside an institution in Scarborough.
Institutions in Sheffield will specialise in human sciences and digital technologies, while the seventh in Bromley will focus on health and wellbeing services.
The announcement will bring the number of UTCs to 57 by 2016, and will see over 35,000 young people studying in the institutions across the UK.
Dr Ariane Reinhart, member of the Board for Bentley Motors who are supporting UTC Crewe, said: “We believe that a UTC in Crewe will help plug the skills gap by training the next generation of technicians and engineers.
“Bentley is growing and we need talented young people now and for many years to come. UTCs offer students the skills, knowledge and attitudes we know they need to succeed in the work environment.”
Philip Greenish CBE, Chief Executive of the Royal Academy of Engineering, added: “The UK needs many more people with skills in innovation, creativity and enterprise – skills that are fundamental to engineering and key to the UK’s competitive edge.
“University Technical Colleges are superbly positioned to reach out to young people from all backgrounds, male and female, and to bring to life the wonderful opportunities available from a career in engineering.”
