Charity bids to create engineers of future with new college

Humberside Engineering Training Association, a charity which trains engineering apprentices, has applied to set up a new University Technical College for 14 to 18-year-olds, in partnership with the University of Hull.

Two UTCs are already operating and three are opening in September, including one in Sheffield.

As well as the burgeoning offshore wind industry, there are numerous other opportunities emerging in sectors including biomass, power distribution and carbon capture and storage. It is estimated that the UK has a skills gap of 96,000 engineers, scientists and technologists.

Mike Cargill, from HETA, said they expected to hear whether their application had been successful in May. The new College of Power and Energy would take a minimum of 600 students.

“There are emerging opportunities which will eventually outstrip supply and it’s important the area capitalises on these opportunities,” he said. “The UTC can provide further options for young people coming through the system.”

German manufacturer Siemens, which wants to open a wind turbine factory on Alexandra Dock in Hull, already sponsors a UTC in Walsall. UK Skills Partner Martin Hottass, who was at a conference in Hull yesterday said: “We see this as a really important development and we have offered governance support in helping set up one here and sharing the experience we have had in Walsall.”

The Baker Dearing Educational Trust, founded by Lord Baker and Lord Dearing to promote the UTC concept, hopes to see 40 UTCs opening by the next election in 2015.