UTC Plymouth MP visit

Minister for Employment, Mark Hoban, and local MP Oliver Colvile were guests of honour for a behind-the-scenes tour of Plymouth’s brand new University Technical College, which is set to open its doors for the first time in September. The special guests were shown the progress of the new college on the former Parkside School site in Devonport, and were given an insight into the unique opportunities that the UTC will offer its students. Led by Principle Mary Cox and Vice Principle Peter Robinson, Mr Hoban and Mr Colville, were also accompanied by four of the recently elected employer governors: Dr Stephen Hobbs, Rittal-CSM Ltd; Mark Newcombe, Tooltech; Stuart Calvert, MGBL; Nick Tripp, Spinnaker, and another employer partner, Steve Cardew, from Kawasaki Precision Machinery. Amongst a new generation of government-funded, industry-designed science and technology colleges, UTC Plymouth was founded by Plymouth University, City College Plymouth and Plymouth City Council. What sets the UTC apart from other schools and colleges is the close collaboration with over 30 local employer partners to deliver a curriculum closely linked with the demand for skills and expertise needed in industry. Based in Devonport, Plymouth, the UTC has received £8m in funding for the development of the new college and has invested in high-quality learning spaces, equipment and workshops. When it officially opens in September, it will have places for at least 150 students across Years 10 and 12, rising to a capacity of 600 plus by September 2017.