Leeds Residents urged to have their say over new university technical college

UTCs are a new type of school for 14 to 18-year-olds which combine technical study with traditional school subjects.

The planned UTC Leeds will aim to prepare young people for careers in engineering and advanced manufacturing.

The school is set to open its doors in September 2016 and is backed by Leeds University, Leeds City Council and local employers including Siemens, Kodak, Unilever and Agfa. An official six-week consultation period for the scheme began this week.

It will include a “drop in” event at Leeds University on Thursday, February 5. Key people from the project will be on hand from 2pm and 8pm to talk to members of the public. Residents are being asked to complete a five-minute questionnaire after attending the event or reading the consultation at www.surveymonkey.com/s/UTCLeeds.

The education lead for UTC Leeds, Ken Cornforth, said: “We really want to get parents, students, businesses, and members of the local community involved in this ambitious project.

“It is about giving local young people a pathway into exciting and fulfilling careers in engineering and advanced manufacturing.”

Alongside the university, leading partners include Kodak, Siemens, Agfa Graphics, Unilever, Clarion Solicitors as well as the manufacturers’ organisation EEF along with Women in Science and Engineering Leeds City Council, Leeds City College and Leeds Chamber of Commerce.