UK Government Approves Humber University Technical College

The UK Education Secretary Michael Gove today gave the approval to the Humber University Technical College (UTC) in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire.

The Humber UTC is led by the University of Hull in partnership with North Lincolnshire Council, North Lindsey College and Outwood Grange Academies Trust. The college is supported by employers including Able UK, Tata Steel Europe, Total Lindsey Oil Refinery and Centrica.

The Humber UTC will specialise in engineering and renewables, and will cater for 600 pupils. It will create 70 new jobs, including 45 teaching posts. Work is expected to start this spring, and the UTC will open for business in September 2015. It is a state-funded school aimed at 14 to 19-year-olds, with significant input from businesses and education partners.

David Shepherd, Group Development Executive for Able UK and Chair of the Humber UTC Board said: “The Humber UTC will give key employers the chance to take a direct approach and ensure the region’s people and businesses all get what they need.

“The Able Marine Energy Park has recently been granted planning permission by the Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin and will create over 4,000 direct jobs within the renewable engineering sector through the establishment of renewable engineering/manufacturing facilities.

“Companies across the Humber including Total, Centrica Storage, and Tata Steel already need skilled employees and are keen to recruit locally. The Humber UTC will ensure that schools and industry are connected and that local young people have the skills, knowledge and attitude that companies are looking for.”

Councillor Liz Redfern, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “This is further evidence of the confidence the government has in helping transform the whole of the Humber region. In December, we received excellent news about the new Able Marine Energy Park and now we’ve got the go ahead to create a modern learning centre for young people that will not only teach them the more traditional subjects, but prepare students for the world of work by specialising in engineering and renewables, equipping them with key skills.

I am delighted and excited at what lies ahead. It’s going to give young people a fantastic opportunity to learn new skills locally rather than having to travel further afield. It will also give businesses the chance to employ local people as they will have the skills needed.”

The UK Government today approved 6 university technical college (UTC) and 5 studio school proposals under its policy to increase the number of academies and free schools to create a better and more diverse school system.

There are now 50 UTCs and studio schools, which will provide more than 45,000 extra places for young people.

Offshore WIND Staff, January 23, 2014; Image: ABB