University technical college plans to go on show
Building plans are to go on show for the university technical college which is being sponsored by Brighton University and the charitable foundation behind two schools in Brighton and Hove.
The plans are for the new University Technical College (UTC) at the grade II listed Marine Workshops at Railway Quay, just two minutes from Newhaven Town Station.
The public exhibition opens on Wednesday 9 April.
The UTC will focus on the skills in demand by the growing marine engineering and environmental technology sectors in the region.
It will offer opportunities to 14 to 19-year-olds across a wide area, including Brighton and Hove.
The sponsors include Brighton University, Lewes District Council, Veolia Environmental Services and the Aldridge Foundation.
The foundation runs two schools locally – the Brighton Aldridge Community Academy (BACA) and the Portslade Aldridge Community Academy (PACA).
Students will be able to enter in Year 10 and Year 12 and will study for GCSEs and A levels alongside technical qualifications such as BTECs, NVQs and the Technical Baccalaureate.
Studies will be based around real-life projects set by local employers and using high-tech specialist equipment.
The aim is to give students a head start in the jobs market or in applying to university or for apprenticeships.
The sponsors have announced that the leading building and civil engineering company Kier will be their preferred contractor. Keir built BACA’s £28 million new premises in Falmer.
Staff from Kier will be on hand at the exhibition to explain their draft plans for the development and to seek comments which will help inform the design and form of the proposals.
The comments will also be reported to Lewes District Council and made publicly available.
Representatives from the sponsors will also be available to answer questions about the college which is due to open in September 2015.
The public exhibition is due to run from 4pm to 8pm on Wednesday 9 April at Denton Island Community Centre on Denton Island in Newhaven.
For more information, visit www.newhavenutc.co.uk.
