Technical college moves step nearer
9:21am Thursday 24th January 2013 in News
A NEW multi-million pound technical college for Bolton’s teenagers is a step closer to opening its gates.
The University of Bolton is leading a bid to open a £10 million university technical college (UTC) on campus.
UTCs are part of a new government scheme to open 34 university-sponsored colleges across the country which specialise in technical studies.
On January 31, a team led by the university will be presenting their plans to the government after successfully making it through the next stage of a funding bid.
The new school would be for 14 to 19-year-olds, and if successful, young people would be able to quit their current school and attend the UTC as early as September, 2014.
They would concentrate on training for specific jobs in industry, with a focus on engineering, manufacturing and medical technology.
The Bolton UTC Trust’s bid is being led by the university and, as a main sponsor, it says it will work with local schools and colleges as well as employers.
Young people attending will be given industry internships and placements.
The Cohens Group and Ravat and Ray Dental Care have signed up to play a major role in developing Bolton UTC and will join the governing body of the new institution as the lead employer sponsors.
Yakub Patel, of Cohens Group, said: “For us this is an opportunity to support our town and influence education in a way which will benefit future employees and our business communities.
“Giving young people industry-specific learning, a work-focused environment in which to learn, and employment experience throughout that learning process, can give them a flying start into their career.”
The plans have won the backing of the Bolton Council.
Council chief executive Sean Harriss said: “We are pleased to see Bolton UTC’s project plan has won through to the next stage of the bidding process.
“Developing young people is important for our town.”
Bolton UTC will be designed to educate 600 young people.
The university’s Holts Mill building would be redeveloped as part of the project, and it is hoped the work will be finished by July 2014.
The university is now consulting with parents on the plans until January 27.
For more information go to bolton.ac.uk/BUTC
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