Nice to UTC you

Pupils and parents will get the chance to find out more about studying at University Technical Colleges in the Black Country at a series of events to be held during January.

A series of open days and events will take place for the Black Country UTC in Walsall, Health Futures UTC in West Bromwich and West Midlands Construction UTC in Wolverhampton.

UTCs are aimed at 14-18 year-olds and provide a big focus on problem solving and working directly with businesses on projects. The curriculum is delivered in partnership with a local University and dedicated at least 40 per cent of time to its chosen technical specialism.

They combine the traditional GCSE and A-Level curriculum with specialist technical qualifications in specific areas where a skills gap has been identified.

On Sunday 11 January all three UTCs will be at the Think Tank Science Museum in Birmingham between 11am and 3pm for an open day which will be hosted by all three principals, teams and partners.

On Saturday 17 January Health Futures UTC will be at Central Sixth in West Bromwich between 10am and 2pm as part of the Connexions Apprenticeship, Education, Training and Jobs Fair.

The University of Wolverhampton’s Walsall Campus is hosting an event for both WMCUTC and Health Futures on Saturday 24 January between 10:30am and 3:30pm, which will include skills demonstrations and the chance to get education and careers advice.

A motor car themed science and engineering event is being run by the Black Country UTC  on the same day between 10am and 2pm at Walsall College and WMCUTC is hosting a hands-on event at the University’s The Gateway@The George in Stafford Street on Saturday 31 January 10am to 4pm.

The Black Country UTC, which opened in 2011, is based in Vernon Way, Walsall and specialises in engineering and science. It will move to a new site in Portland Street in April 2016

The Health Futures UTC will open in new facilities in September 2015 in High Street, West Bromwich and will have a strong focus on science with a view to providing skills for a career in the NHS or health science and pharmaceutical industries.

The West Midlands Construction UTC also opens in September 2015 and specialises in construction and the built environment. It will initially open at its Northwood Park campus before moving to a new purpose built facility on the former Springfield Brewery site in Wolverhampton.

All three UTCs are sponsored by the University of Wolverhampton and are still taking applications for Year 10 and Year 12 students for courses starting in September 2015.

For more information on each of the UTCs visit their websites: www.blackcountryutc.co.uk www.healthfuturesutc.co.uk or www.westmidlandsconstructionutc.co.uk

ENDS

For more information please contact James Allen in the Media Relations Office on 01902 322003