Medway's bid for engineering school submitted to government
Medway's University
Technology College would specialise in construction
A bid to bring a University
Technical College (UTC) to Medway has been handed to the government
after months of preparation.
The application for the
college, billed as a new concept in secondary education, has
now been submitted to the Department of Education.
Medway's UTC would specialise in
engineering and construction and would be sponsored by the
University of Greenwich, MidKent College, Medway Council and local
employers.
It would offer 14 to 19-year-olds
practical and academic education and training.
Prof Alan Reed, of the University of
Greenwich, said: "The opportunity to take a leading role in
establishing a UTC for Medway enables the university and its
partners to provide a lasting contribution by increasing the range
of opportunities for the secondary education of young people in the
region."
Backers believe an initial application
for a UTC just missed out on government approval. As part of the
second bid, more than 800 people across Medway and Kent have been
asked what they think of the idea - and an overwhelming
majority of those asked gave their backing.
Employers and businesses have also
pledged support to the college as part of the bid, including
leaders in the construction and engineering industries BAE Systems,
Delphi Diesel Systems, BAM Construct UK, Denne Construction and
Gainwell Futures.
All three Medway MPs, the Medway
Enterprise Business Partnership and the Engineering Construction
Industry Training Board (ECITB) have given their support.
The Department for Education will now
consider the submission with an official decision due in March
2013.
If successful, work will begin almost
straight away, with plans to recruit a principal designate by
December next year before the opening in September 2014.
26/11/12
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