What our partners have to say.

Rt Hon Dame Rosie Winterton DBE, Ed Milliband MP, and Caroline Flint MP – MPs for Doncaster

“We have long supported Doncaster’s bid for a University Technical College and it is fantastic news that this will now come to fruition. We want to see opportunities extended to more and more of our young people and that is what the UTC is designed to do. It will play an essential role in providing our young people with the skills and qualifications needed to continue the legacy of Doncaster being at the forefront in engineering innovation and design.”

Ros Jones – Mayor of Doncaster

“It has been a long held ambition of the council, Doncaster Chamber, local businesses and the whole of Team Doncaster to bring a University Technical College to Doncaster so it is fantastic news that we now have the green light from government. We have just published a review of post 16 education across Doncaster and one of its key recommendations to improve outcomes for young people is to improve quality and choice in Doncaster’s further and higher education opportunities so our communities have clearer routes into employment which the UTC will be an integral part of.

“The UTC will become a vital pathway into further education and employment for our young people and is part of our comprehensive plans to have a diverse educational offer that provides our young people with the best opportunity to learn and thrive.

“The UTC will link our young people with local businesses so they gain the technical skills needed by industry. It will also complement the National College for High Speed Rail by providing another route for our young people to build a successful and rewarding career which supports inclusive economic growth. These are exciting times for Doncaster as we continue to build for the future.”

Dan Jarvis – Mayor of Sheffield City Region

“This is fantastic news for our young people in Doncaster. Gaining skills in advanced engineering and digital design, and being involved in industry-led projects, will give learners the perfect opportunity to secure those high-skilled jobs that are increasingly coming to the Sheffield City Region. My congratulations and thanks go to everyone who has worked so hard to secure this new college.”

Dan Fell – Chief Executive Officer – Doncaster Chamber of Commerce

“I am absolutely delighted by the Department for Education’s decision to approve Doncaster’s bid to open a University Technical College.

“The UTC will provide exciting new opportunities for the borough’s young people to access outstanding technical education here in Doncaster. By equipping Doncaster’s fantastic young people with the skills and experience they need to thrive in industry, the UTC will play a key role in tackling the long term skills shortages that are apparent in key sectors such as: rail, construction and engineering. This will ensure that firms in these industries have access to the skilled labour they need to grow and succeed in a competitive global economy; it will also make Doncaster an increasingly attractive destination for inward investors from these sectors.

“The Chamber is a founding member of the UTC and I have been proud to lead the bid for a UTC in recent years on behalf of the local business community. We could not have got to this point without having a robust and dedicated partnership between the business community, local educationalists, Doncaster MBC and other key stakeholders. I would applaud everyone involved in this project to date for their vision, tenacity and commitment to Doncaster. We all now look forwards to working closely with DfE to open a brilliant UTC in Doncaster’s town centre in 2020.”

Lord Baker – Chairman – Baker Dearing Educational Trust

“We are delighted that Doncaster University Technical College (UTC) has been given the go ahead by the Department for Education. “UTCs are based on local skills demand. This UTC bid was led by the Doncaster Chamber of Commerce, Wabtec Faiveley and Keepmoat. Dan Fell, Chief Executive of the Doncaster Chamber of Commerce, deserves much recognition for the work he and the bid team have put in to convince the Government that a UTC is a necessary addition to Doncaster’s education landscape. We are pleased that all their efforts have been successful.”

Helen Redford-Hernandez – Principal – Hungerhill School

“I am truly thrilled that Doncaster has been given final approval to set up a UTC providing students of all abilities with a much needed gateway into the highly specialist studies and industries of Engineering, Science and Digital Media. It is testament to the existing strong collaborations between local businesses, universities and educational leaders that our young people will, as part of a highly innovative, employer led curriculum, have many opportunities to experience a world class education affording them the opportunity to compete globally for the best jobs, apprenticeships and places at the top universities. It is nothing less than Doncaster and our young people deserve.”

Michael Wilkinson – Deputy Managing Director and Doncaster Chamber President – Frog Education

“The announcement of the UTC marks another step change for Doncaster; giving confidence to our young people that they have quality opportunities ahead and are being invested in, giving confidence to business to continue to invest in Doncaster for the future, safe in the knowledge a new talent pool is developing, based upon a relevant curriculum which they contribute to engineering giving confidence to the nation and beyond that Doncaster is great place to work, live and enjoy.”

Professor Wyn Morgan – Vice-President for Education – The University of Sheffield

“The University warmly welcomes and supports the decision to locate a University Technical College in Doncaster. Focused on Advanced Engineering and Digital Design and working with local universities employers, the new UTC in Doncaster and the existing UTC in Sheffield are aimed at developing skills which will drive innovation, attract inward investment from high-tech companies and help to create jobs.”

Professor Sir Chris Husbands – Vice-Chancellor – Sheffield Hallam University

“We welcome the news that the application to open a Doncaster UTC has been approved. Sheffield Hallam is proud to be a partner of the new UTC, building on the successful partnerships we already enjoy with both UTCs in Sheffield. “UTCs are a great example of how industry and education can come together to provide opportunities for students to get involved in innovative and applied learning whilst addressing the regional skills gap.”

Paul Stockhil – Managing Director – Agemaspark

“This is marvellous news for Doncaster and will provide a new opportunity for all of the local region to participate in the future of our young people. To encourage diversity and insight for growth among the business and communities of the area. I wish to thank the local government and Doncaster Chamber of Commerce and local business for their determination and persistence to bring the UTC to a successful conclusion.”

Cameron McLellan – Managing Director – Polypipe

“Polypipe welcome the recent announcement regarding Doncaster UTC. Having worked with the project team we are looking forward to being involved in the development of the UTC and see its opening in Doncaster as a real benefit to our future. Polypipe’s roots are in Doncaster since we commenced in 1980 and we have continued to grow internationally. Further growth is dependent on new talent joining our organisation each year and we welcome the opportunity to be an integral part of developing young people with the skills and experiences needed to enter the engineering world.”

Richard Walsh – Managing Director – Pennine Stone

“I am delighted that this scheme has been approved, Doncaster UTC will create a new offer for our young people which will develop the skills and behaviours that industry needs to continue to thrive. By securing Industry involvement in education delivery, we have an opportunity to ensure that our young people succeed in their careers and access the very best opportunities while driving local economic growth. The UTC will provide young people with an exciting education alternative which will enable them to combine traditional study alongside stimulating new industry-based and applied learning pathways.”

Jack Pendle – Engineering Director – Volker Rail

“Having worked with the Doncaster UTC team, we are delighted about the recent announcement confirming UTC approval. At Volker Rail we are passionate about building the next generation rail engineering workforce for Doncaster and will require talented young people with a good grounding in STEM subjects to deliver in the fast emerging digital railway. The UTC will be of great benefit; not only to local young people, but the future local economy. We believe the UTC, alongside the National College of High Speed Rail, will provide fantastic opportunities for our young people and we are excited to be taking this project forward with other partners.”

Dave Sheridan – Chief Executive – Keepmoat

“As an anchor business in Doncaster we welcome the announcement of a successful UTC application. Keepmoat have been involved in this project from the outset and continue to support this important project which will provide new and exciting opportunities for young people. As a key partner to the project, we look forward to supporting young people to ensure that they have the skills, knowledge and experience to ensure that they access the best career opportunities locally and that Doncaster economy continues to grow.”  You can read more about Keepmoat and the work they do at www.keepmoat.com

Richard Parker – Chief Executive – Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals

“As a major employer in Doncaster we welcome the news of the approval of the UTC. We are excited about the opportunities this will provide the young people of Doncaster to help them gain the skills needed for careers in Engineering, Science and Digital Media. As a Teaching Hospital, developing our future workforce is important to us and we are looking forward to working with the UTC to realise this.”

Posted: 23 August, 2018

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