Encouraging businesses to develop connections with engineers, environmentalists and scientists of the future, South Devon University Technical College (UTC) hosted its last business breakfast of 2019 this month.
Newton Abbot’s pioneering technical college invited the region’s businesses to meet the staff and students to find out more about the benefits of employer partnerships.
In the same week as This is Engineering Day (6th November), guests received a guided tour of the college on Kingsteignton Road and its state-of-the-art facilities before enjoying a continental breakfast buffet and networking. After breakfast, South Devon UTC’s students and staff revealed more about the work the college does around Engineering, Science and the Environment.
Claire Plumb, Principal at South Devon UTC, commented: “We were delighted to welcome local businesses from across the region to our last business breakfast of 2019. After a busy year of activities, it gave us a great opportunity to reveal what goes on behind these doors and highlight how important it is for local employers to connect with the engineers and scientists of the future.”
Claire continued: “A number of excellent initiatives were discussed at the business breakfast and it was a great opportunity for our students and staff to network with representatives from Network Rail, the University of Exeter, LSN Architects and Centrax Gas Turbines to name just a few. Employers who actively engage to push forward the training and development of young people are gaining the benefit of a professional, communicative and capable future work-force.”
Launched in 2015 with a £10.7 million investment from the Department for Education, South Devon UTC values its employer partnerships. Companies from across the region have helped shape the curriculum, provide Challenge Projects and offer work experience to ensure student leavers are equipped with the skills and experiences needed to be work ready and to progress in their chosen fields. As a result, South Devon UTC has continued to gain a reputation for presenting skilful problem-solvers with professional attributes and competencies that are in demand in South Devon.
This unique, hands-on approach to learning was reflected in the college’s set of impressive exam results this year. In summer 2019, 100% of post-16 Scientists achieved at least one distinction star in their BTEC Applied Science with 80% of these achieving the highest qualification of triple distinction star. Furthermore, 71% of Engineering students achieved at least one distinction star with over two thirds of those achieving either two or three distinction stars, the highest grade in these qualifications.
Many South Devon UTC leavers have achieved or surpassed their target grades and have moved on to appropriately challenging destinations including Hinkley Point, South West Water, MB Aerospace, Centrax and The Royal Navy.
The next free business breakfast at South Devon UTC will be held on Tuesday 4th February 2020, during National Apprenticeship Week. To register your interest for this event, call the college on 01626 240201.
You can join us on our social media pages, follow us on Facebook or Twitter and keep up to date with whats going on in South Devon.
Got a news story, blog or press release that you’d like to share or want to advertise with us? Contact us
