New aviation technical college gets go-ahead

A new University Technical College (UTC) in Uxbridge, sponsored by Brunel University and focused on developing future aviation engineers, will open its doors in September 2014 after planning approval was granted last week.
 
The Heathrow Aviation Engineering UTC aims to meet the growing local need for technically competent, employable young people to join the expanding aviation industry. Along with 14 other new UTCs, it will provide a practical grounding in mathematics, science and engineering for young people aged between 14 and 19 from a wide geographical area.
 
Each College is sponsored by a university along with local employers and industry specialists, who will help to provide work placements, supply guest speakers and develop a highly focused curriculum. Brunel will work with partners including BAA, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and other major businesses to provide practical assistance in the form of input to curriculum development and delivery as well as Widening Participation and Schools Liaison activities. No financial input is required.
 
The initiative is being led by Queensmead and Northwood Schools.
 
Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research Professor Geoff Rodgers, who is heading Brunel’s work on this project, said: “It is very good news that we have been granted permission to go ahead with this new college. The UTC will fill an important gap in the local provision of high quality technical education. We have a challenging year ahead of us to get the college up and running by September 2014, but work has already started and I am confident that we will soon be welcoming students from all over West London, and beyond.”
 
A new University Technical College (UTC) in Uxbridge, sponsored by Brunel University and focused on developing future aviation engineers, will open its doors in September 2014 after planning approval was granted this week.
 
The Heathrow Aviation Engineering UTC aims to meet the growing local need for technically competent, employable young people to join the expanding aviation industry. Along with 14 other new UTCs, it will provide a practical grounding in mathematics, science and engineering for young people aged between 14 and 19 from a wide geographical area.
 
Each College is sponsored by a university along with local employers and industry specialists, who will help to provide work placements, supply guest speakers and develop a highly focused curriculum. Brunel will work with partners including BAA, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and other major businesses to provide practical assistance in the form of input to curriculum development and delivery as well as Widening Participation and Schools Liaison activities. No financial input is required.
 
The initiative is being led by Queensmead and Northwood Schools.
 
Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research Professor Geoff Rodgers, who is heading Brunel’s work on this project, said: “It is very good news that we have been granted permission to go ahead with this new college. The UTC will fill an important gap in the local provision of high quality technical education. We have a challenging year ahead of us to get the college up and running by September 2014, but work has already started and I am confident that we will soon be welcoming students from all over West London, and beyond.”