Second university technical college to boost future health and wellbeing
6 August 2014
SHEFFIELD Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has welcomed plans to develop a second university technical college in Sheffield – boosting the health and wellbeing of future generations.
The plans, which were given the green light by the government on Tuesday 5 August, will help give young people the training they need in the sports science, health and digital technology sectors.
The £10 million university technical college is due to open on the site of the former Don Valley Stadium in September 2016.
The project’s co-sponsors are Sheffield Hallam University, which has a-world class reputation in the field of human and sports science, and Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The Department for Education has approved the initial application for the Sheffield Human Sciences and Digital Technologies UTC to progress to the next stage.
Students, aged 14 to 19, will complete traditional academic and technical qualifications. The catchment area for recruitment is South Yorkshire. The total number of student places is 600 by 2019.
Sir Andrew Cash, Chief Executive for Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted at the news that Sheffield is to have its second UTC and that this one will be dedicated to providing skilled, motivated and well-prepared young people to help support the health and wellbeing of future generations.”
The development will extend the range of learning opportunities for young people in the city region, particularly those interested in careers in the health sector, medical and sports technologies, or programming and system design. These are all growing areas in the global as well as the local economy and the new UTC offers the opportunity for 14 to 19 year olds to work closely with local employers and universities at the cutting edge of development in these sectors.
Employers will influence all aspects of the UTC, particularly its curriculum content so that the training and education students receive is related to and supports regional business needs. They will also provide work placements and projects, sponsorship opportunities and have input into the design of the building.
The Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership’s Strategic Economic Plan for 2015/25 identifies healthcare and digital technologies as being key to jobs in the region.
Educationalists, businesses and civic leaders are also throwing their weight behind the plan which is being led and sponsored by The Sheffield College in partnership with employers, the city’s two universities and Sheffield City Council.
Andrew Cropley, Executive Director, Strategic Planning and Business Development, The Sheffield College, said: “We are delighted that Sheffield's bid for a second UTC has been given the go ahead. We will use all the experience that we've gained from our success with UTC Sheffield, the first of its kind in Yorkshire and the Humber, and work with our partners to create an extraordinary and career focused educational experience for young people who have an interest in the science of the human body and computing.”
For more information regarding the national Department for Education annoucement click here.
ENDS
