Employers Support Emerging Talent at UTC Sheffield
Local, national and multi-national businesses continue to throw their weight behind Yorkshire’s first University Technical College by providing mentoring and project support to students.
The £9.9 million UTC Sheffield, on Matilda Street, has launched a new mentoring programme in its second term of opening, offering employers the chance to meet students and discuss how they can support their skills development.
Lee Geddes from Mott MacDonald
The ‘Meet The Employer Mentor Programme’ runs sessions outlining the different levels of support that employers can offer. This ranges from mentoring and setting a coursework or work-based project through to providing work experience and placements.
Businesses have the chance to tour the brand new facilities and meet staff and students, and hear about the UTC’s progress and future plans. At the latest employer event on June 26, businesses attending included Rolls-Royce, Siemens, Ask4 Ltd, Cross-Platform Labs, Performance Engineered Solutions, Red Tape Studios, Magnomatics, Mott MacDonald and Boxford.
Omith Mukherjee from Red Tape studios commented, “The event was hugely enjoyable with motivated and engaged learners.”
Mike Maddock from Performance Engineered Solutions, already involved in designing special projects for UTC Sheffield students to work on, commented, “I always enjoy the mentoring and interaction with the students.”
Cristina Cooney from Rolls-Royce
Brigidin Crowther, Assistant Principal, UTC Sheffield, said: “Our students benefit from a well rounded education comprising traditional academic and technical qualifications. Employers’ support is crucial to our students’ skills development and prospects.”
She added: “Our new programme aimed at employers enables them to discover and meet emerging talent. It gives our students the chance to meet industry leaders and experts, and learn about their skills development and career paths.”
Sheffield UTC, which was set up to support the whole of Sheffield City Region including South Yorkshire and North East Derbyshire, offers 14 to 19-year-olds GCSEs and A Levels, in addition to a technical qualification in the creative and digital, or advanced engineering and manufacturing industries.
Approximately 40 employers are already backing UTC Sheffield in a range of ways. This includes providing guaranteed recruitment interviews, sponsorship and work placements, and setting industry-based projects.
Key supporters include Siemens, Newburgh Engineering, Rolls-Royce, Sheffield Forgemasters, Tata Steel, the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre with Boeing, Performance Engineered Solutions, Warp Films, Sumo, Resolve IT, Visionmix and Red Tape Studios.
Employers were also involved in the building design of UTC Sheffield. The facility opened its doors to more than 200 students in September 2013 and has capacity longer term for a maximum of 600 learners.
To get involved email Vivienne Martin, PA to the Principal, on vmartin@utcsheffield.org.uk.
>> Read more about the programme on our Employer Mentoring page