Engineering UTC Northern Lincolnshire
Opened in September 2015, the Engineering UTC Northern Lincolnshire £12m campus is set in the heart of Scunthorpe town centre and offers a specialist STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education for 13-19 year olds through a hands-on education and engaging workshop spaces.
“Skills shortages costs UK businesses around £2bn a year.”
UTCs (University Technical Colleges) were inspired by Lord Baker and the late Lord Dearing in response to repeated demands from industry for more technically educated, work-ready young individuals. Over recent decades UK employers have expressed concerns that too many young people leaving education do not have the attitude, skills and knowledge required to make a rapid and successful start to working life. As UTCs are established where employers need them most and where there are pronounced skills gaps, the advantages are clear; not only do they produce a talent pipeline of well-motivated, appropriately qualified and industry aware recruits, they also are able to harness the employability and technical skills needed for a rapid transition.
Engineering UTC Northern Lincolnshire, is a non-selective, publicly funded school that aims to deliver well-rounded students into the engineering and technology industries through an exciting, employer-shaped curriculum. With a focus on connecting education to industry, students receive an innovative concept of education that combines technical, practical and academic learning. By doing so, it provides students with something more than the traditional GCSE and A Level curriculum.
Based in Church Square in the centre of Scunthorpe and close to both bus and train stations, the ENL UTC £12m campus contains some of the most up-to-date, cutting edge engineering, scientific and computer facilities in the country. With the ground floor of the school building dedicated to various workshops surrounding engineering and robotics, students have the ability to work on real-life, industry projects alongside of their theoretical work.
Leadership, Humility, Innovation, Drive, Resilience
Exposing individuals to industry projects enables them to learn in a different way, suiting both those who wish to excel academically and those who prefer a real-life technical education experience which will prepare them for employment, further education or higher education. Typically throughout the academic year students find their time split 60/40 between both core academic GCSE and A Level lessons, and a focused technical education in engineering. Presenting continuous challenges to build on skills, experiences, qualifications and personal confidence, it increases the chances of progressing into industry careers.
Each year, there are up to 40,000 jobs available that require skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. UTCs are designed to build expertise in these subject areas by working closely with employers on technical projects. The ENL UTC, has a number of industry partners from around the region that offer support to the school in a variety of ways; from practise interviews to lunch & learn sessions, and providing work experience to mentoring, real industry experts work alongside of the students to provide year-round support, guidance and knowledge. However, the ENL UTC partners aren’t just from within the engineering industries, they stem from all areas including higher education, career advice, and entrepreneurs, to provide a well-rounded understanding of future career opportunities.
Alongside of technical and academic studies there is a clear focus on employability skills that encourages students to recognise their abilities within both leadership and teamwork scenarios whilst developing their communication skills. Various activities and companies work with individuals throughout the year to progress these skills to a high level whilst increasing confidence.
Lorraine Wattam, mother of year 10 student Jordan Wattam, has spoken about her sons experience since starting at the Engineering UTC Northern Lincolnshire;
“He has grown and matured so much in the past year and that’s down to him wanting to learn and do well for the dedicated staff at the UTC. Thank you for your hard work and dedication, I’m sure he will continue to do the UTC proud.”
To find out more about the Engineering UTC Northern Lincolnshire, please visit: https://www.enlutc.co.uk/
Or if you would like to contact a member of their dedicated team you can contact them by calling 01724 878100 or emailing info@enlutc.co.uk.
