Sunday October 6 2024
Swindon & Wiltshire News
Plans for Wiltshire’s first university technical college have been given final approval by the Department for Education.
The announcement will see a £10m capital investment with which to construct the University Technical College’s home on the site of the original Great Western Rail Works.
The government’s commitment will also provide the on-going year-on-year budget to run the new educational institution, which is co-sponsored by Johnson Matthey Fuel Cells and Oxford Brookes University, and will cater for 14 to 19-year olds when it opens in September 2014.
Paul Holmes, automation and mechanical design manager for Johnson Matthey Fuel Cells and UTC Swindon director, said: “This announcement is a historic moment for UTC Swindon and represents the final approval from the Department for Education to progress to opening.
“UTC Swindon will be an innovative new educational facility in engineering and technology, set in a stunning building design, carefully blended in an historic setting.
“This will provide young people in the region with a fantastic opportunity to gain highly desirable skills, to meet future employers’ demands and raise aspirations in progressing their careers.
“We have already received strong interest from students and parents about joining UTC Swindon and being a part of its future. We look forward to being able to share the vision and provide more detail at the various events and open evenings planned over the coming months”
Paul Inman, pro-vice chancellor for Oxford Brookes University and UTC Swindon director, added: “We have reached a significant milestone in our journey towards producing the next generation of highly-skilled engineers.
“Importantly, construction can now begin and we are extremely grateful to Network Rail for the opportunity to site the building on the original Great Western Rail Works.
“Those attending UTC Swindon will have the chance to build on this legacy and we look forward to welcoming our first students in September 2014.”
