Hull Chamber backs government-funded school

During a recent Chamber Council meeting, The Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce expressed its unanimous support to plans for the Ron Dearing University Technology College (UTC).

The Council chose to back the UTC program after they were updated on the £10-million government-funded college’s progression by Charlie Spencer, chairman of the Spencer Group.

After introducing himself as a local resident from Anlaby, Mr Spencer revealed he started his business from his front room 25 years ago, and after not doing so well at school, he believes the UTCs are worth backing.

As well as teaching the National Curriculum, UTC students, from the ages of 14-18, also learn skills in specialist subject, receive mentoring and work experience.

Mr Spencer said: “The Hull UTC is named after Ron Dearing, a local lad who did very well for himself and became a Lord. Members of the UTC named after him include Siemens, E-Buyer, KC, the Spencer Group, Hull City Council and the University of Hull”.

The new facility will help students study Mechatronics, a mix of mechanical and electrical engineering which includes digital control systems and computer engineering, filling a crucial gap for businesses which currently have difficulty finding employees with these skills.

Local employers will be asked to interview UTC students when they are recruiting new staff as Mr Spencer hopes the UTC will provide local businesses with more suitable employees.

Speaking at his first Chamber Council meeting, Finbarr Dowling from Siemens, added that 150 students, who will be work ready, will be graduating from the UTC every year. He also express interested in making Hull’s UTC the best in Britain.

Mr Dowling said: “We now have a lot of work to do to publicise the UTC and make it aspirational for young people to attend.

“We have identified a preferred site, the Government will build the school and we will look to appoint a principal designate. The Curriculum will be designed by businesses and there will be no homework – all the learning will be done on site”.

The Ron Dearing UTC is expected to be open by 2017.

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