The launch of a university technical college (UTC) planned for Warrington has been delayed by a year.

The college will be run by the University of Chester, with a  focus on nuclear and energy engineering for 14 to 18-year-olds, will occupy a vacant site, owned by the council opposite Central Station.

The university has announced that it will now open as part of the planned Stadium Quarter, in September 2016, which will avoid the need for temporary accommodation.

Lynda Moore, chair of the UTC Warrington (UTCW) steering group, said:

“Although we have pressed hard on the timetable to complete the construction, we now know that our need for temporary accommodation would stretch beyond a few weeks and that other UTCs across the country in the same position have reconsidered their time-scale in order to make sure they get their building, their curriculum and their recruitment right, rather than open before they are ready.”

“We are fully committed to ensuring students enjoy the best learning environment with the best equipment from day one of their joining the UTCW.”

UTCs are funded by the Department for Education, from the same pot as academies but have intimate connections to business, which take seats on the governing body and help to plan the curriculum.

The Warrington college will be linked to Sellafield Ltd, which is managing the decommissioning of the Sellafield nuclear power station, and Risley-based engineering design firm Tenet Consultants.

Source: The Business Desk

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Words: Daniel Pearce