Engaging with Employers
We are proud to have been selected to open the first UTC in Cumbria based on an energy specialism. This is the first of a brand new concept of education in West Cumbria, focused on delivering high-quality engineering and construction – a University Technical College. Our vision is to ‘energise our young people and Britain’s Energy Coast through innovative, vocationally - focused education and training to achieve high standards and excellence’ with an aim to ensure that our students have every chance to achieve success, whether they continue into further education, or move to further learning in the world of work when they leave here. We will provide a world-class educational experience, which has been specifically designed to ensure young people achieve top grades and develop the key life skills essential for success in the world of work and in society. At The Energy Coast UTC (ECUTC), the curriculum and learning techniques are unique, allowing students to combine theory with practical activities – putting learning into practice in our purpose-built, state-of-the-art facilities. Our students all benefit from a wide range of extension activities, allowing them exceptional opportunities to pursue many different interests outside the main curriculum. Our hours are more like business hours than normal schools and sixth form colleges, but the curriculum encourages a structured and effective use of time.
Gary Jones Biography Gary will take up the position of Principal of the Energy Coast UTC in September 2013. Gary was born in 1969 in North Wales and is a Welsh speaker. He was educated at Glan Clwyd Comprehensive School, North East Wales Institute (Diploma in Design) and Sheffield Hallam University (BEd), Upon graduating in 1994 Gary began his academic career at St Helen’s School for Girls, Northwood, where he taught Systems & Control Technology. In 1997 he moved to the Royal Grammar School, Guildford were he was appointed Head of Year and then Head of Department. In 2004 Gary moved to Bedford Modern School (BMS) to set up a Faculty of Technology. During this period the success of the faculty structure led to a school wide adoption of the management model. Whilst at BMS Gary also took a lead in the development and integration of ICT within the school. This led to the development and implementation of a bespoke academic reporting and assessment system. In 2010 Gary was appointed Vice Principal (Academic) at Welbeck DSFC, taking up his position in January 2011. Since taking up the post Gary has worked closely with the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom and the Armed Services to improve the recruitment and training pipeline for potential Engineering and Technical Officers, in turn this has led to
Gary Jones Principal Designate
improved progression rates from the College onto the university phase of the Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme. Gary lives with his wife, Angela, and two children, Madeleine, born 2002 and Rory, born 2005. He is an Army CCF Officer and plays an active role in the military development of the
This booklet will further explain our plans for the Energy Coast UTC and with your support; we can bring this new concept in education and training to West Cumbria in 2014.
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students. Interests include rugby, outdoor activities, cooking and travel.
About Us
DID YOU KNOW?
..................... 82% of construction employers in Cumbria are more likely to recruit young people with work ready skills
In September 2014 we will open the Energy Coast UTC. This will offer a new concept in education for 14 -19 year olds in West Cumbria and will focus on specialist technical training alongside traditional academic education. The energy based curriculum will be inspired by employer requirements for a future workforce, designed by our partners at GEN II training, Lakes College and the University of Cumbria, and delivered by experts with backgrounds in industry and teaching. The Energy Coast UTC curriculum will specialise in the Energy Sector with a strong emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM), sustainability and clean technologies. We will also focus on modern construction techniques and methods along with traditional craft skills. Represented industries within the Energy Coast UTC will include nuclear, construction, engineering, manufacturing, clean technologies and utilities. The initial intake will be 80 (14-16 year old) students and 60 (16-19 year old) students. By 2018 there should be just over 560 students in the UTC. Academic and vocational training will take place within the Energy Coast Campus site; in the newly constructed UTC building at Lillyhall, Workington, the Energy Coast Construction Skills Centre and facilities at Lakes College and the world class engineering facilities within ENERGUS.
What makes the Energy Coast UTC different? Exciting and engaging engineering and construction curriculum State-of-the-art building with excellent industry standard facilities 21st century ICT facilities Mathematics and science learning which relates to the business, engineering and construction world Extensive enrichment programme Mentoring for all students Mature, independent and business like environment Excellent progression opportunities into careers in engineering and construction Learning and working with key industrial partners to develop employability skills and achieve excellence in energy engineering and construction
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The Curriculum Model The ECUTC will have two specialisms linked to Energy: Engineering and Construction. Sited within the Energy Coast Campus and reflecting the needs and aspirations of the area and the wider energy sector in the UK and beyond, we will provide a first class opportunity for industry and learners to develop the high quality technical skills needed to meet the challenges of current and future energy production and management. The established nuclear industry, anticipated nuclear new build, renewable and sustainable energy sources, lower carbon drivers, environmental considerations and the requirements for innovation and highly skilled participants provide the demand which will drive learning and development within the ECUTC. Engineering and STEM subjects will provide students with excellent technical education and practical application within the many aspects of the Energy Sector. This will include nuclear, on and off-shore wind farming, tidal and hydro, bio-mass, anaerobic digestion and solar forms of energy production. This will be complimented by construction training related to the civil engineering aspects of energy and infrastructure projects, and the developing fields of photovoltaic, ground and air source heat pumps, and green construction techniques. The breadth and reach of the ECUTC will support the development of highly skilled apprentices and the future “technician class” needed by the sector, together with high quality skills in design, creativity and innovation, research and science; all of which will support direct progression into full and part-time higher studies across a range of disciplines related to Energy and Engineering.
14 TO 16 YEAR OLDS The core national curriculum requirements will be provided. The split of time between general education/bridging core studies and technical studies is 60:40 respectively. 16 TO 19 YEAR OLDS Post-16 students will be able to continue with their studies. If students choose to continue full-time study at the UTC the split of time between general education/bridging core studies and technical studies will be 40:60 respectively. The technical study will become more specialised and job-related and the content should not only lead to a technical qualification but also to a professional qualification.
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As the principal business representative body in the County, we see that there is a need to improve the work readiness of young people in West Cumbria for vocational and technical jobs. Rob Johnston Chief Executive, Cumbria Chamber of Commerce ECUTC students will expand their knowledge thanks to high quality core and specialist studies. What distinguishes this innovative type of education from the traditional offer is that our students will cultivate the soft skills – the intangibles – which will set them apart from the crowd. Students will follow a dramatically different curriculum, delivered in a professional environment, which will equip them with a combination of social and practical skills; all with an underlying focus on employability. ECUTC students will be taught an innovative blend of general and technical studies through courses informed by our educational partners and employer sponsors. Students will study core subjects of English, Maths, Sciences, PE/Sport, Geography, ICT and a Modern Foreign Language at Key Stage 4 level. Those that continue to Key Stage 5 will have core studies in Maths, Business and Science. For their technical education, students will specialise in Energy Engineering or Sustainable Construction. Core and technical studies will be integrated so that, for example, GCSE maths content will be delivered within engineering or construction teaching Students will work towards GCSE, BTEC, AS and A Level qualifications for their core studies. They will gain confidence in and recognition of their technical expertise through accredited industry recognised qualifications. Regular work experience, ‘live’ employer-defined projects, apprenticeships and mentorship from employer representatives will be integrated into the curriculum to support student development. A personalised learning approach will ensure the needs and ambitions of all learners can be met. As an alternative to traditional education, ECUTC will raise the aspirations of students thanks to visible and attainable goals for career and academic progression.
As a high intensity energy user, we are becoming increasingly focused and specialist in renewable generation of energy, investing significantly in future power generation needs of our plant. A University Technical College with a focus on energy technology will be increasingly important to us in the future as well as for the wider economy of West Cumbria where many of us live as well as work. Jonny Lowe, Head of HR, Iggesund Paperboard Ltd
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How can Employers support the Energy Coast UTC? Employers are integral to the development of the Energy Coast UTC and we welcome involvement from large, small and medium private sector employers as well as large public sector employers. The ECUTC requires both formal co-sponsors and informal partners. Opportunities are available to:
Support the curriculum offer for the UTC to match the needs of the local economy and the sectors in which they work; Support the UTC to produce a cost effective and innovative experience for students; All students will undertake meaningful work experience and as such will need a placement – can you help? Students will need industry mentors with whom they can talk about career progression – could you spare some time to help tomorrow’s engineers today? Allow the UTC to use their specialist facilities to inform and inspire the students to pursue a career or further study? Become a Governor - can you provide your time and expertise?
BECBC recognises that the development of a UTC, centred on responding to the economic opportunity on Britain’s Energy Coast would be an important part of the education and training infrastructure in West Cumbria and most importantly in producing a workforce that meets the requirements of its businesses in the future. Jonathan Marshall Past Chairman, Britain's Energy Coast™ Business Cluster
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DID YOU KNOW?
..................... In the period February April 2013, the most common vacancies in Cumbria were for mechanical engineering
What is in it for you? The focus of the Energy UTC will be to equip students with a firm understanding of the energy sector whilst providing them with valuable practical experience of working in the industry. What this means is that our students will quickly become highly productive employees with a high market value. With your involvement, together, we can:-
Instil in young people a deep sense of pride in a career within the engineering and construction industry and an understanding of the value and the importance of practical technical skills and product design and development. Showcase local talent to employers and engage employers in what and how the students learn. Provide a highly skilled and highly motivated pool of young people with the right technical skills and attitudes to work needed by employers. Provide young people with a learning environment where for much of what they do they can immediately see its value and application in the real life of the workplace. Provide young people with the opportunity to learn from and communicate with industry practitioners – real people doing real jobs – real study – real projects in or with industry – teaching them the importance of hard and soft skills to be a successful engineer. Instil in young people a belief and vision that they can go as far as they wish in an engineering and construction career and to give them the self-confidence, skills and qualifications to win in the job market in Cumbria.
Contact Us Mike Smith, CEO GEN II Engineering and Technology Training Ltd 01900 844950 mike.j.smith@gen2training.co.uk Maureen Palmer, Project Manager Britain's Energy Coast Campus 01900 605665 maureen.palmer@cumbria.ac.uk
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DID YOU KNOW?
..................... UTC's are employer led and university supported more than 400 companies and 45 universities are now supporting UTCs
Mike Smith, CEO GEN II Engineering and Technology Training Ltd 01900 844950 mike.j.smith@gen2training.co.uk
Our Sponsors
Maureen Palmer, Project Manager Britain's Energy Coast Campus 01900 605665 maureen.palmer@cumbria.ac.uk