Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of University Technical Colleges in providing young people with the skills required in the world of work.

To date, 30 university technical colleges (UTCs) are open across the country and a further 26 plan to open by 2016. UTCs contribute towards our aim of raising standards for young people by introducing increased competition, innovation and choice. They provide high quality technical education for those 14-19-year olds that choose to follow a more practically orientated education. The involvement of universities and employers in UTCs provides more opportunities for young people than ever before. The UTCs open and in development will offer around 35,000 places for young people to help them gain skills for the world of work.

Global Academy UTC, for example, is in development and once open will offer 800 young people from across London with opportunities to gain the technical skills needed in the creative and digital media business.