Work on new college officially gets started

The £8.5m college in Sheffield will train teenagers aged between 14 and 19 in skills specifically needed by employers in the city’s engineering and digital sectors.

It is not only the first UTC in Yorkshire, but one of only 19 to be set up across the country.

Planning permission for the college was granted last month and the project is due for completion for September 2013.

Yesterday’s ceremony was attended by dignitaries including Sheffield Council leader Julie Dore and Master Cutler Pam Liversidge.

There were also representatives from Wates Construction and project sponsor The Sheffield College.

Mrs Liversidge said: “We in this region have a proud tradition of technology, engineering and innovation.

“The UTC, along with other local initiatives will help to stimulate interest in these areas and give young people the passion for innovation as well as the entrepreneurial spirit, which will be so vital to us in the future. “Much hard work has gone into winning the right to have the UTC here and we, in business, must put our full support behind it to ensure the best result and enjoy the advantages it brings.”

Nick Crew, who will be principal of the new college, added: “Interest in the UTC is really growing amongst the region’s young people and this is testament to what will be achieved here, a state-of-the-art institution that will excel in providing work-based learning via an employer-led curriculum.”

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