Encouraging businesses to develop connections with engineers, environmentalists and scientists of the future, South Devon University Technical College (UTC) has announced the date of its first ever business breakfast.
On Wednesday 7th November, 7:30am to 9:00am, South Devon UTC is inviting the region’s businesses to meet the staff and students at the pioneering technical college to find out more about the benefits of employer partnerships.
Guests will receive 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 will reveal more about the work the college does around Engineering, Science and the Environment.
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 approach has made a positive impact on the students learning at South Devon UTC, evident in the college’s impressive exam results this summer. 100% of post-16 Applied Science students gained distinction stars in all of their qualifications. Furthermore, 70% of Engineering students achieved at least one distinction star with over half 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.
This unique, hands-on approach to learning was reflected in the college’s first OFSTED report earlier in the year. The report read “as a result of the school’s extensive business links, all students found places in education, employment or training when they left.” Furthermore, the report recognised that “high quality careers education and guidance and a close relationship between the school and the local business community, along with strong university links” ensured that pupils’ aspirations were high.
Claire Plumb, Principal at South Devon UTC, commented: “We are delighted to announce that South Devon UTC will be running a series of business breakfasts for those in the region who are interested in what we do here. Our event on Wednesday 7th November is the first of three business breakfasts this school year and aims to shed a light on what goes on behind the college’s doors.”
Claire continued: “Guests will have the opportunity to hear from our students why they chose to focus on STEM and how South Devon UTC has made a positive impact to their learning. We will also be conducting a tour of our state-of-the-art facilities, which you may wish to book for your business use, and revealing how employers can benefit from partnering with South Devon UTC. 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.”
South Devon UTC’s first business breakfast will be held on Wednesday 7th November, 7:30am to 9:00am, at the college on Kingsteignton Road, Newton Abbot, TQ12 2QA. The event is free to attend. To reserve your place, visit: https://southdevonutc.org/
