Pictured: An impression of what the new University Technical
College at Silverstone may look like
An educational partnership between The University of
Northampton, Silverstone Circuits and Tresham College of Further
and Higher Education, has welcomed news that the government has
agreed to establish a University Technical College within the heart
of Motorsport valley.
The Silverstone Academy is planned to open by September 2013 and
will allow up to 540 young people aged 14-19 from the area to train
for a career in Motorsport and High Performance Engineering or
Event Management in realistic working environments at one of the
UK's most prestigious venues.
University Technical Colleges are a relatively new concept in
education that will provide technical education for students to
learn in a practical way integrating national curriculum
requirement with technical and vocational elements leading on to
higher level qualifications and apprenticeships. The college ethos
and curriculum will be heavily influenced by local and national
employers who also provide vital support and work experience to
enable students to progress into the £600m industry.
The government-funded project will be developed in Silverstone,
co-sponsored by The University of Northampton and led by Tresham.
The Silverstone Academy will be equipped to the highest standards
to provide students with clear progression routes into higher
education or further learning in technically based work.
Professor Nick Petford, Vice Chancellor of the University of
Northampton, commented:
"As a university with established teaching and research
excellence in areas including high performance engineering,
computing and numerous other science-focused and
environmentally-based disciplines, we are delighted to co-sponsor
important developments for young people within the county. The UTC
will add real value to technical education for the future of
Northamptonshire. Students at the academy will learn in a very
practical way, integrating national curriculum requirements with
technical and vocational elements."
Paul Fletton, Acting Principal at Tresham, stated:
"We have worked extremely hard with our partners, the University
of Northampton and Silverstone Circuit and have received continued
support from Northamptonshire County Council during the last 16
months to secure commitment from employers to establish a
University Technical College for High Performance Engineering and
Motorsport or Event Management. The University of Northampton
has made a significant contribution to the design of the curriculum
for the UTC which will provide students with the opportunity to
develop specialist skills at the iconic Silverstone Circuit".
Richard Phillips, Managing Director for Silverstone Holdings Ltd
said:
"It is vitally important that young people have the option to
participate in good vocational education and I believe that by so
doing, they can secure jobs in their chosen sectors. Tresham's
proposal is a shining example of this vision in action."
Andrea Leadsom, MP for South Northamptonshire said:
"This is exciting and important news. Silverstone is the home of
Motorsport and High Performance Engineering in the UK and the
world. The University Technical College will give young people the
chance to develop their skills within such specialist employment
areas. Events management is of equal importance to the economy
within Northamptonshire and employability is profound in the area.
The use of the circuit and the links with industry will provide
young people with genuine hands-on experience that they can take
with them into their careers."
Jim Harker, Leader of Northamptonshire County Council said:
"The County Council is delighted that Silverstone has been
selected for one of the networks of University Technology Colleges
that we hope will cover the whole of Northamptonshire. It is vital
that we provide the right environment for giving young people the
qualifications to forge careers in 21st century occupations, such
as high performance engineering, and the Council is proud to
support this."