Today's young people are showing a much greater interest in becoming scientists, technologists, engineers, mathematicians and computer specialists, however there is still a global shortage in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) skills which is having a knock on effect on the workforce of the county's STEM related employers.
The University Technical College Norfolk (UTCN) was specifically set up to address this issue by providing study programmes that have been developed in partnership with employers such as KLM UK Engineering, Lotus Cars and Gardline. Because of this, the UTCN Sixth Form offers a rigorous package of academic study, practical skills development and work experience with a particular focus on engineering.
Here are the top four reasons why young people should study a specialist engineering course at the UTCN's Sixth Form:
1. Exclusive work experience opportunities
Because of the UTCN's excellent relationships with their employer partners, students are given access to a variety of exclusive work experience opportunities to ensure they are industry ready on completion of their courses. These opportunities include participation in the core project and technical challenge programmes with briefs devised by local employers that reflect real life situations.
2. Unique study patterns
All sixth form students benefit from a unique study pattern that helps prepare them for the world of work. Students attend the UTCN four days per week with the fifth day reserved for either paid or unpaid work in the engineering sector to further develop their skills.
3. Outstanding specialist facilities
Students have access to the UTCN's range of specialist facilities including £1.3m worth of engineering equipment and state-of-the-art workshops and labs. These facilities provide students with a variety of unique learning experiences to help ensure they fulfil their potential.
Alongside this, the UTCN's Sixth Form has a talented team of teachers as well as the support of other professionals from organisations such as the University of East Anglia.
4. Excellent progression routes that lead to successful future careers
The UTCN Sixth Form's unique combination of specialist training and industry work experience aims to equip students with the relevant skills and knowledge required to progress on to employment or degree level training at university or through an apprenticeship. Young people with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics related qualifications are in demand on the job market with most companies mapping out long term career paths.
To date, a number of the UTCN's Sixth Form students have secured highly competitive engineering related training positions at companies such as Jaguar Land Rover, British Sugar, The Royal Navy, Seajacks Ltd, National Grid and the BBC with starting salaries as high as £31,000 per annum.
Want to find out more?
Click here or visit the UTCN Sixth Form Open Evening Thursday October 19, 4.30pm – 6.30pm at UTCN, Old Hall Road, Norwich, NR4 6FF
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