Thirteeen new University Technical Colleges have been opened across England to promote engineering to 14 to 19 year olds. The Black Country University Technical College has opened in the West Midlands, partnering with Siemens.
The following link takes you to footage on last night's Channel 4 News about the Black Country University College and Siemens.
http://www.channel4.com/news/catch-up/display/playlistref/101011/clipid/101011_techcoll
The Black Country UTC, sponsored by Walsall College is the first government funded University Technical College to open in the UK. A UTC is an academy for students aged 14 to 19 which specialises in technical studies and is sponsored by a college and additionally has a partner university, in this case the University of Wolverhampton. It is a full time course that extends the normal teaching term and day beyond comprehensive schools. Learners combine practical and academic studies to pursue a vocational alternative to GCSE and A-Level qualifications.
Siemens IA/DT has become a key sponsor of this new college by providing equipment, and working with teachers to develop practical projects for the students to work on. Technology areas such as industrial automation, machine tools, building technologies, product lifecycle management software and lean manufacturing principles will be taught as part of the tailored curriculum.
“This is a great opportunity for Siemens to make a difference. We will be helping to teach technician engineers in an economically deprived area with a rich manufacturing heritage”. Says Brian Holliday, Divisional Director of Siemens Industry Automation.
“It’s exciting to be involved so early in a programme that will expose younger students to specialist teaching and equipment and I trust it will make them a valuable commodity for us and our customer base in the West Midlands.”
We will of course update you with our partnership as it develops.
ENDS
Notes to editors: About Siemens Industry Automation & Drive Technologies
Siemens Industry Automation & Drive Technologies employs 2000 people in the UK, working with customers in a wide range of industries from automotive and chemical to aerospace, food and construction. Products supplied by Industry Automation & Drive Technologies include standard products for the manufacturing and process industries and for the electrical installation industry, as well as system solutions and total solutions for industries such as the automation of entire automobile plants.
Siemens was established in the United Kingdom over 160 years ago and employs around 20,000 people in the UK (over 475,000 worldwide), including about 5,000 in the UK manufacturing sector. Last year’s UK revenues were £3.5 billion (just over Euros 87bn worldwide), including £580 million in exports. Siemens provides innovative, high-quality services and solutions to customers in a diverse range of industry sectors, including power, automation and control, information and communication, medical, transportation, lighting, and household. Siemens has offices and factories throughout the UK..