Youngsters get glimpse of University Technical College

HOPEFUL students planning on becoming the engineers of the future visited an open day for the city's new college.
System Engineers Daria Lulia Calangiu and Laila Ramio-Tomas next to a model replica of the Galileo Satellite and some of its components.

Picture: Habibur Rahman (160914-23 )System Engineers Daria Lulia Calangiu and Laila Ramio-Tomas next to a model replica of the Galileo Satellite and some of its components.

Picture: Habibur Rahman (160914-23 )
System Engineers Daria Lulia Calangiu and Laila Ramio-Tomas next to a model replica of the Galileo Satellite and some of its components. Picture: Habibur Rahman (160914-23 )

Parents and youngsters went along to the University Technical College open day yesterday evening.

Admissions applications open this September and the college is drumming up interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem) subjects.

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Ryan Walker, 15, a Year 10 pupil at Charter Academy, went to the evening held at Portland building in Portland Street, Portsea, last night.

Daniel Hudson, 12, is shown how a 3D printer works by David Franklin

Picture: Habibur Rahman (160914-25)Daniel Hudson, 12, is shown how a 3D printer works by David Franklin

Picture: Habibur Rahman (160914-25)
Daniel Hudson, 12, is shown how a 3D printer works by David Franklin Picture: Habibur Rahman (160914-25)

He said: ‘I’ve looked at maritime engineering. It’s attracted me towards it.

‘It’s given me more an idea about the pathways.’

His step-father Alex Blandford, 32, of Southsea, added: ‘If you think of all the industries in Portsmouth, it’s basically feeding them.’

Mr Blandford added that it appeared that Stem subjects were undergoing a resurgence.

Daniel Hudson, 12, is shown how a 3D printer works by David Franklin

Picture: Habibur Rahman (160914-25)Daniel Hudson, 12, is shown how a 3D printer works by David Franklin

Picture: Habibur Rahman (160914-25)
Daniel Hudson, 12, is shown how a 3D printer works by David Franklin Picture: Habibur Rahman (160914-25)
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About 110 people had booked to attend the evening, held between 5pm and 7pm.

Holly Blackhurst, the media officer for the UTC project, said: ‘Speaking to parents and students we’ve had really good feedback.’

Holly added that there is a shortage of Stem skills-trained people in the area.

When fully functioning after opening in September 2017, the college will have about 600 students.

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About 75 Year 10 and 100 Year 12 pupils will be accepted when the college opens.

Firms including BAE Systems, Nats, QinetiQ, Babcock, the University of Portsmouth and the Royal Navy were present yesterday.

Harry Lumsden, 15, a Year 10 pupil at Springfield School, is keen to go into the navy but wants to train in engineering first.

His mother, Louise Lumsden, 35, of Hoylake Road, in Portsmouth, said that would mean he could join at a higher position.

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Harry said: ‘I wanted to come because I want to go in the navy when I’m older.

‘I can do my level three in engineering and then join up.

‘The college is definitely a good thing because it has opened more opportunities.’

He added he had learnt about the different paths he could take.

The £10m UTC will be developed at the site of Trafalgar School in Hilsea and see teenagers from 14 to 18 gain qualifications for electrical and mechanical engineering.

Another open evening runs from 5pm to 7pm today at Haslar Marine Technology Park, QinetiQ, Gosport.

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