UTC Derby Pride Park is a specialist engineering school preparing students for careers in the rail industry and other engineering pathways. Students can join the UTC in Year 9, Year 10 or Year 12, and study GCSEs and A Levels alongside their engineering specialism.
The UTC is opening its doors for three year-group specific open events on the 11th and 24th of March, and the 22nd April. These events will give applicants and their families the opportunity to find out more about the UTC’s technical, employer-led offer, and see the state-of-the-art facilities.
UTCs are technical schools backed by top employers that have been set up to train the next generation of young people in the skills that their regional economy needs. They usually focus on one or two technical specialisms. Students learn from industry experts in specialist high tech facilities and complete GCSEs and A Levels as well as technical qualifications that are equivalent to between one and three A Levels. Employers support the curriculum by setting industry projects and providing work experience and placements.
The engineering specialism at UTC Derby Pride Park has been developed with global employers and has already helped students progress to high quality apprenticeships and places on top engineering courses at universities around the UK. Last year’s students went on to some of the best universities in the country including the University of Leeds, University of Nottingham and University of York, and highly sought-after apprenticeships at Bombardier, Rolls-Royce and SNC-Lavalin.
Richie Wheatcroft, Principal, UTC Derby Pride Park, said: “We play a pivotal role in the local economy by training a talent pipeline of highly skilled young people, offering them great career opportunities and maximising on the city’s world leading strengths in the aerospace, automotive and rail industries.”
UTC Derby Pride Park is backed by some of world’s best known companies including Bombardier, Rolls-Royce and Toyota as well as the University of Derby and Derby College.
At the upcoming open events, applicants and their families will be able to hear from the Principal and current students, experience the industry-standard equipment, and employers, such as the University of Derby, will be on hand to provide a practical experience of engineering.
Andy Davies, Learning Delivery Manager at Rolls-Royce, works with the UTC to ensure students can develop key industry skills, knowledge and behaviours, and he is supported by the Educational Outreach Team at Rolls-Royce.
Andy said: “The UTC is vital to the future of Derby. As an employer, we’re looking for enthusiastic, switched-on people who can think independently and work effectively in a team environment. It’s great to see early career talent developing within the UTC, which is a positive thing for the industry in the region.”
If you are an employer or parent wanting to engage with the UTC, you can find out more on the website. You can also sign up for the open events here.
