New Black Country college to cost £10m

The new University Technical College - being led by the University of Wolverhampton - is being built on the former site of Sandwell College in West Bromwich High Street.

It will tackle a shortage in skilled health workers and recently began taking applications from students ahead of opening in September 2015.

The project is a joint adventure between the university and West Midlands Ambulance Service, supported by 24 other NHS and private health organisations.

Details of the £10m Health Futures UTC project have been unveiled as bosses revealed work will start before the end of the month.

The building will include a rooftop games area and gym, laboratories, simulation units, a mock hospital ward, IT suits and a visualisation centre.

It will serve 600 pupils in total and have 60 staff.

Plans were approved by the Government last year and youngsters aged 14 to 19 will train there.

Bosses said the centre would have a strong focus on science but still cover a range of traditional subjects at GCSE and A-Level, as well as practical and technical qualifications.

It is hoped these qualifications will start students off on a career in the NHS, or in health science or pharmaceutical industries.

Professor Linda Lang, Dean of the faculty of education, health and wellbeing and UTC project chair, said it showed the university's commitment to healthcare.

She said: "The UTC will be among the first in the country to focus on the health sector and we're very proud to be working together with so many partners from front line health services to deliver what will be an innovative curriculum.

"The Health Futures UTC will provide students with the skills to take them onto the path to a career in healthcare gained by working closely with employers.

"There is a real shortage of young people with the right skills, professionalism and aspiration that the sector requires and what we will offer will provide students from an early age with the academic and technical skills as well as embedding the key attributes of compassion and care.

"This next stage in the development of the UTC shows our commitment to be a leading light in the provision of healthcare education in the West Midlands."

Students will be involved in employer-led technical challenges and be regularly tested through real-life scenarios, interactive study and the use of simulation technology.

There will also be a focus on giving students practical skills and experience through community based projects and extra-curricular activities.

Dr Anthony Marsh, chief executive officer for the West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said: "At the heart of the Health Futures University Technical College is a simple vision – to equip our young people with the skills and academic qualifications to give them the best head start possible. Highly qualified and skilled young people are needed not only in the health sector but by all businesses.

"We are passionate about providing a first class education for our young people that prepares them for the world of work or higher education.

"Specialising at age 14 gives our students distinct advantages beyond traditional schooling pathways.

"The Health Futures UTC enables students to experience real-life workplace practices and provides young people with opportunities to pursue over 350 different careers with our UTC industry partners, such as the NHS Foundation Trusts.

"It is a real privilege to be a part of this new and innovative UTC. "

The UTC is now recruiting and students for Year 10 and Year 12 places for youngsters from the Black Country, Birmingham, Solihull and North Worcestershire.

It follows days after plans to relocate a multi-million pound school in Walsall, which specialises in engineering were welcomed by the borough's education chief.

The Black Country University Technical College is to move to a former car repair shop next to Walsall College's £64mi Wisemore Campus from April 2016, under the proposals.

The school, which was created on the site of the axed Sneyd Community School in Bloxwich, currently has 160 pupils.

But it is thought this number will grow to 300 before the relocation to the building, off Portland Street.