UTC Plymouth shortlisted for prestigious award

Students and staff at UTC Plymouth are celebrating after being named as one of 15 schools shortlisted for the Young Engineers’ School of the Year award for 2015.

The awards look to recognise the work that is done by schools to nurture the next generation of engineers through the promotion of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects to its students.

The awards are run by Young Engineers, a UK educational charity that looks to increase the participation of students in engineering activities to encourage young people to study STEM subjects and consider a career in engineering.

The 15 shortlisted schools will be narrowed down to six before the national final, which will be held at the Big Bang Fair at Birmingham’s NEC from 11th and 14th March. The winning school will be presented with a prize of £1,000, with the runner-up receiving £500.

Since starting in 2009, the Big Bang Fair has become the largest celebration of STEM subjects in the UK. It looks to highlight the possible careers and futures that are affiliated with STEM subjects to students that are aged between 7 and 19 years old. The fair has grown to attract some 75,000 people over the two days.

Mary Cox, Principal of UTC Plymouth, spoke about the awards: “Being shortlisted for engineering School of the Year is a huge achievement. We’re really looking forward to seeing who is considered for the final in March.

“We are constantly looking to equip our students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the world of work. We try our best to prepare them for their future, regardless of whether it’s further or higher education, work-based learning or employment. Everything we do at UTC Plymouth is with an eye to the future to help create the next generation of engineers.

“We’re overwhelmed with the success we have achieved since we opened our doors to students. We have managed to secure apprenticeships for our students with some of the leading engineering and manufacturing companies in Plymouth, for example our engineering student Daniel Bolt and Rittal. We also have a number of exciting activities and trips organised throughout the year for our students, to offer them a hands-on experience.

“At UTC Plymouth, we have gone from strength-to-strength over the past 18 months and this shortlisting is the culmination of hard work from both our students and staff.”

Since opening in September 2013, UTC Plymouth provides both a practical and theory-based education whilst specialising in engineering and manufacturing.

The College focuses on STEM subjects, alongside the core national curriculum. Along with teaching the core subjects, UTC Plymouth will focus on STEM subjects to create the skills and knowledge needed by the UK’s industry sector. UTC Plymouth aims to create a new generation of engineers to help fill the current demand for skilled workers in the UK.

As well as academic and practical learning, students can also take part in sport, enrichment and challenging activities to help enhance and mould their entrepreneurial, innovation and employability skills. UTC Plymouth focuses on shaping students’ learning to best prepare them for their future.

Those interested in finding out more about UTC Plymouth are invited to attend their next open day on Thursday 29th January at 5:30pm. The open day will offer potential students the chance to look around the College’s facilities, talk to current teachers and staff and ask any questions they might have about studying at UTC Plymouth.

For more information or to register to attend, visit www.utcplymouth.org.